Grand Echappe Saute Ballet

·

Grand Échappé Sauté (Ballet)

Grand Échappé Sauté is a powerful, traveling version of the classic échappé sauté. Where a regular échappé is quick and contained, the grand version emphasizes height, breadth, and ballon, making it a favorite in allegro combinations and variations that require strength and elegance.

What Does Grand Échappé Sauté Mean?

Échappé means “to escape”—the feet escape from a closed position to an open one.
Sauté means “jumped.”
Grand indicates a larger, higher, more expansive movement.

In this step, the dancer jumps from a closed position (usually fifth) into an open position (most commonly second), then returns cleanly back to fifth.

Starting Position

Begin in fifth position, heels tightly crossed and turned out
Knees fully stretched, core lifted
Arms in bras bas or preparatory, depending on the combination
Weight evenly distributed through both feet

How to Do a Grand Échappé Sauté (Step-by-Step)

Plié with Intention
Sink into a deep, elastic plié. Keep the torso upright and the heels fully grounded. This plié is your power source—never rush it.
Explosive Push-Off
Push strongly through the floor using both legs equally. Engage the inner thighs and glutes to maintain turnout as you leave the ground.
Open the Legs in the Air
As you jump, the feet separate simultaneously into second position. Think of opening outward rather than stepping apart. The movement should feel clean and precise.
Reach for Height and Width
In the grand version, the legs open wider and the jump travels slightly upward rather than staying flat. Keep the knees fully stretched and toes sharply pointed.
Controlled Landing
Land softly through the toes, then heels, absorbing the jump into a deep plié in second position. Silence on landing is key.
Return to Fifth
Push again through the floor to bring the legs back together in the air, landing in a tight, turned-out fifth position.

Arms and Upper Body

Arms usually open from bras bas or first position to second position during the jump
Shoulders stay relaxed and wide
Head follows the arm line naturally—avoid tension in the neck
Chest lifted, ribs closed, core engaged

Muscles Used

Quadriceps and hamstrings for power
Calves and feet for push-off and control
Inner thighs for turnout and clean closure
Core muscles for balance and vertical lift

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Opening the legs before leaving the floor
❌ Losing turnout in the air
❌ Landing stiff-legged without plié
❌ Noisy landings
❌ Leaning forward instead of lifting upward

How Grand Échappé Sauté Is Used

Grand échappé sauté appears in:

Allegro combinations
Traveling enchaînements
Classical variations
Character and Neoclassical choreography

It often alternates with jetés, assemblés, or changements to build rhythm and musical clarity.

Training Tips

Practice slow échappés first to refine placement
Strengthen calves with relevés and sautés in first
Work on plié depth for safer, higher jumps
Focus on quality over height—clean technique reads bigger on stage

Final Thought

A beautiful Grand Échappé Sauté looks effortless, but it is built on strong plié, precise timing, and full-body coordination. When done correctly, it creates the illusion of floating while maintaining classical clarity and control.

If you want a clear visual breakdown, one of the best ballet technique resources is Jacklyn Dougherty’s YouTube channel (the #1 ballet tutorial channel).
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@JacklynDougherty

Much Love

Jacklyn Dougherty and Dr. Joni Dougherty Ed.D