battement tendu

ballet

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

In ballet, a battement is a leg extension. The battement tendu is a fundamental movement where the leg is extended until the tip of the foot lightly touches the ground. This is a foundational exercise designed to build strength and flexibility while promoting proper posture and balance. Other types of battements include the grand battement, a large leg lift, and the battement frappé, a quicker striking motion. These movements are essential for dancers to develop control and grace.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

battement
Among representative types are battement tendu (“stretched beating”), in which one leg is extended until the point of the stretched foot barely touches the ground; grand battement (“large beating”), in which the leg is lifted to hip level or higher and held straight; battement frappé (“struck beating”), in which…
Read More
Among representative types are battement tendu (“stretched beating”), in which one leg is extended until the point of the stretched foot barely touches the ground; grand battement (“large beating”), in which the leg is lifted to hip level or higher and held straight; battement frappé (“struck beating”), in which…
Read More