In the retiré position used for a pirouette preparation, where is the working foot placed?

In the retiré position used for a pirouette preparation, where is the working foot placed?

• A. Behind the knee
• B. At the knee level with knee bent
• C. On the ankle
• D. At hip level with leg straight

Answer: (B)

In retiré for pirouette preparation, the working foot is placed at knee level with the knee bent. This keeps the leg tucked in, creates a clean vertical line, and stabilizes the turnout and weight over the supporting leg, making it easier to initiate and control the turn. If the foot were behind the knee, the line would weaken and balance would suffer; resting on the ankle would shorten and destabilize the line; keeping the leg straight at hip level would lift the foot too high and disrupt alignment. So this knee-level, bent position is the most stable, centered preparation for a pirouette.

In retiré for pirouette preparation, the working foot is placed at knee level with the knee bent. This keeps the leg tucked in, creates a clean vertical line, and stabilizes the turnout and weight over the supporting leg, making it easier to initiate and control the turn. If the foot were behind the knee, the line would weaken and balance would suffer; resting on the ankle would shorten and destabilize the line; keeping the leg straight at hip level would lift the foot too high and disrupt alignment. So this knee-level, bent position is the most stable, centered preparation for a pirouette.