How to Do a Chassé in Ballet
A chassé is a foundational ballet step that teaches traveling, coordination, and clean weight transfer.
If you want to understand how to do a chassé in ballet correctly, the key is to master the glide, the push, and the precise closing action.
Because the chassé appears in barre work, center practice, allegro, and across-the-floor combinations, strong technique here improves many other ballet movements.
What Is a Chassé in Ballet?
A chassé is a traveling step in which one foot appears to “chase” the other foot.
In classical ballet, the movement is usually smooth, low to the floor, and controlled, with the working leg closing into a precise position before the dancer continues moving.
The French term chassé means “to chase,” which describes the action well.
The step is often used to prepare for a jump, connect phrases in choreography, or develop clarity in footwork and alignment.
Basic Mechanics of the Step
To perform a chassé well, think in three parts: initiate, travel, and close.
Each part should remain connected so the step looks continuous rather than broken.
- Initiate: Begin with a plié to generate softness and control.
- Travel: Move in the intended direction while keeping the torso lifted.
- Close: Bring the feet together or into the required position with precision.
In ballet training, the chassé is often executed from fifth position, third position, or first position, depending on the combination and teacher’s instructions.
The exact preparation may vary, but the underlying mechanics remain consistent.
How to Do a Chassé in Ballet Step by Step
1. Start in a stable position
Begin in a clean ballet position with the pelvis neutral, ribs contained, and shoulders relaxed.
A properly placed posture helps the step stay balanced and prevents overreaching.
2. Bend into a plié
Use a controlled plié to prepare for movement.
The knees should track over the toes, the heels stay grounded when appropriate, and the weight remains centered over the supporting foot.
3. Push off the floor
Press through the standing leg and allow the moving foot to skim the floor.
In ballet, the working foot should look light and deliberate, not heavy or lifted too high unless the choreographer requests elevation.
4. Extend into the travel
As you move, let the body travel smoothly in one direction.
Keep the upper body quiet and avoid leaning forward, which can disrupt balance and reduce the clarity of the step.
5. Close the feet with precision
The closing action is what gives the chassé its clean finish.
Bring the feet together or into the designated position with exact timing, maintaining turnout and controlled placement.
What a Chassé Should Look Like
A correct chassé should appear smooth, even, and coordinated.
The dancer should look as though the body is gliding rather than bouncing or stepping heavily.
Key visual qualities include:
- Clean turnout from the hips
- Balanced torso and lifted sternum
- Even timing between push and close
- Soft, quiet feet on the floor
- Controlled use of plié and demi-pointe
In many ballet classes, teachers look for consistency in the line of the leg, the placement of the head and arms, and the ability to maintain musical timing.
Common Mistakes When Learning a Chassé
Over-lifting the foot
Many beginners lift the working foot too high, which makes the step look less refined.
A ballet chassé is usually meant to skim the floor unless it is part of a more elevated sequence.
Leaning the torso
Excessive forward lean can throw off alignment and create instability.
Keep the spine lengthened and the core engaged so the movement comes from the legs, not the shoulders.
Incomplete closing
If the feet do not close clearly, the step can lose its definition.
Focus on finishing each chassé with a precise position, even at faster tempos.
Weak plié
A shallow or rushed plié reduces power and makes the step feel stiff.
The plié should be elastic enough to support travel while still maintaining control.
How to Improve Your Chassé Technique
Improvement comes from repetition, musical awareness, and strong basic alignment.
Small corrections made consistently will have a noticeable effect on the quality of the step.
Practice slow counts first
Before attempting the step at performance speed, practice it slowly.
Counting the movement helps you feel the transfer of weight, the timing of the close, and the direction of travel.
Use the floor as a guide
Think of the foot as sliding or brushing through the floor.
This is especially useful in ballet training because it encourages control and prevents unnecessary noise or tension.
Strengthen turnout and feet
Turnout from the hips and strong intrinsic foot muscles support cleaner execution.
Exercises such as tendu, relevé, and rond de jambe help build the underlying strength and coordination needed for a better chassé.
Match the music
The chassé should fit the rhythm of the phrase.
Listening closely to the musical count helps you avoid rushing the close or lingering too long in the travel.
Chassé in Ballet Combinations
Teachers often use the chassé in combinations because it transitions naturally into jumps, turns, and directional changes.
It can function as a linking step, a preparation step, or part of a longer traveling sequence.
You may see it used before steps such as:
- Jeté
- Assemblé
- Temps levé
- Pas de chat
- Glissade-based allegro combinations
Since the step helps establish momentum, dancers often use it to create a sense of flow without breaking the line of the phrase.
Differences Between a Chassé and Similar Steps
Beginners sometimes confuse a chassé with a glissade or a pas de bourrée.
While all three are traveling steps, the shape and timing differ.
- Chassé: One foot “chases” the other in a smooth traveling action.
- Glissade: A sliding step that usually transfers weight through a side closing action.
- Pas de bourrée: A three-step pattern with a more intricate weight change.
Understanding these distinctions helps dancers read choreography more accurately and respond to class corrections with confidence.
Helpful Drills for Ballet Students
Simple exercises can make the chassé easier to understand and refine.
These drills focus on timing, strength, and coordination rather than speed alone.
- Practice chassés across the studio with a metronome or counted music.
- Work on slow closing actions in front of the barre.
- Repeat chassés from different starting positions to build adaptability.
- Combine chassés with plié and relevé to strengthen stability.
- Observe your placement in a mirror without collapsing the chest or shoulders.
Consistent practice with teacher feedback is especially valuable, since small alignment issues are easier to correct early.
Why the Chassé Matters in Ballet Training
Learning how to do a chassé in ballet develops more than one skill.
It reinforces posture, musicality, weight transfer, and the ability to move cleanly through space.
It also helps dancers build confidence in allegro work, where clarity and timing are essential.
When the chassé is reliable, many other steps become easier to perform with control and grace.
By focusing on posture, floor contact, and the exact closing action, dancers can make the step look polished and efficient in both class and performance settings.