This exercise to help strengthen the supporting leg and enhance the dancers' awareness of alignment and resistance work. Utilising a long resistance band, this exercise underscores the importance of the supporting leg's stability, facilitating improved control and power in pointe work.

Preparation:

Equip students with a medium to strong resistance band. Instruct them to securely wrap the band around their supporting leg, just above the knee extending up the thigh. The excess band should then be stretched over the barre and held firmly in hand.

Steps:

1. Have students begin in 5th position, focusing on alignment and core stability.

2. Instruct them to perform a demi plié, transitioning into relevé in 5th position while incorporating port de bras into 4th position.

3. Execute two grand battements to the front (devant), maintaining control and height.

4. Continue with two grand battements to the side (à la seconde), with arm in second position, ensuring precise and clean closing in front and behind (devant & derrière).

5. Follow with two grand battements to the back (derrière), complemented with the arm in arabesque, focusing on maintaining pelvic stability and leg alignment.

6. Have students conclude with two retiré passé, emphasising balance and control.

7. Instruct students to reverse the sequence.

Focus:

Stress the importance of keeping the pelvis level and the supporting leg strong and straight. Encourage students to utilise the resistance band to feel the push and pull, enhancing their understanding of force and alignment.