Learning how to do a pas de bourrée is useful for beginners and experienced dancers alike because this small traveling step appears throughout ballet classes, variations, and choreography.
The movement looks simple, but clean footwork, precise weight transfer, and musical timing make it distinctive.
What Is a Pas de Bourrée?
A pas de bourrée is a quick three-step ballet step that transfers weight from one foot to the other, often used to travel sideways, forward, backward, or into another step.
In classical ballet, it is commonly performed with smooth, controlled placement and a light, connected quality.
The phrase comes from French ballet terminology.
In professional training, it appears in barre work, center combinations, and stage choreography because it develops coordination, balance, and clarity of movement.
How to Do a Pas de Bourrée Step by Step
The exact pathway changes depending on the direction and style, but the basic structure stays consistent: step, close, step.
Keep the movement small and efficient so the feet stay precise and the upper body remains calm.
Basic pas de bourrée to the side
- Start in a turned-out ballet position with your weight on one supporting leg.
- Step the working foot to the side or slightly behind, depending on the combination.
- Bring the other foot in to close or pass through a tight position, often near fifth position.
- Shift weight onto the final step so you finish ready for the next movement.
Focus on moving through the feet rather than lifting the body.
The torso should stay lifted, the core engaged, and the shoulders relaxed.
Pas de bourrée en arrière
A backward pas de bourrée usually travels behind the body and is often used to move out of a jump or prep for an adagio passage.
The pattern remains three steps, but the direction reverses.
- Step one foot back.
- Close or cross the other foot, keeping the feet neat and close to the floor.
- Complete the third step by transferring weight to prepare for the next phrase.
Be careful not to rush the closing step.
The transfer should feel quick but controlled, not scattered.
Pas de bourrée dessous and dessus
Dancers may hear the terms dessous and dessus, which describe whether the working leg passes underneath or over the other leg.
These versions are common in classical technique and vary by school and choreography.
- Dessous: the leg passes underneath the body line.
- Dessus: the leg passes in front or over the supporting line.
If you are learning how to do a pas de bourrée in class, listen carefully to the teacher’s direction, since the terminology affects foot pathway and placement.
Key Body Alignment for a Clean Pas de Bourrée
Good alignment makes the step look controlled rather than busy.
Even though the feet move quickly, the upper body should appear composed and lifted.
- Head: keep the gaze level and forward unless the choreography asks for a port de bras or head movement.
- Ribs: avoid flaring the ribs; maintain length through the torso.
- Pelvis: keep the hips neutral and supported to help preserve turnout.
- Feet: point and place the feet cleanly, with weight fully transferred before the next step.
Use turnout from the hips rather than twisting the knees or ankles.
Proper turnout improves the line of the step and helps reduce strain.
Common Mistakes When Learning How to Do a Pas de Bourrée
Many dancers struggle with the pas de bourrée because it is fast enough to expose weak footwork but small enough that errors are easy to repeat.
The most common issues come from rushing, overstepping, or losing placement.
- Taking steps that are too large: the step should be compact, not lunging.
- Dropping the torso: bending forward makes the movement look heavy and unbalanced.
- Not finishing the weight transfer: each step should clearly land before the next begins.
- Dragging the feet: the feet should articulate through the floor with control.
- Overusing the knees: the motion should come from the whole leg and foot, not just the knee joint.
If the step feels unstable, slow it down and practice the pathway without music before increasing speed.
Musical Timing and Counts
Pas de bourrée timing depends on the choreography, but it is often counted as three quick steps over one or two musical beats.
In ballet class, instructors may cue it on an and-count or within a syncopated phrase.
To improve musical clarity, count the rhythm out loud while practicing:
- “and 1 and” for a fast preparation into the next step
- “1 and 2” for a three-part traveling rhythm
- “quick-quick-slow” in some stylized or rehearsal contexts
Listen for where the pas de bourrée sits in the music.
It may connect two poses, prepare a jump, or add texture to a longer phrase.
Pas de Bourrée Variations in Ballet and Dance
While classical ballet is the most common context, the pas de bourrée also appears in contemporary dance, jazz, and theatrical choreography.
The same basic foot pattern can be adapted to different styles and performance needs.
Pas de bourrée couru
This version uses running steps and creates a gliding effect.
It is often seen in romantic ballets and traveling sequences where the dancer needs to move lightly across the stage.
Pas de bourrée with a turn
Some choreography inserts a turn between steps or at the end of the movement.
In these cases, balance and spotting become especially important.
Pas de bourrée as a transition step
Choreographers often use a pas de bourrée to connect larger movements, such as sautés, pirouettes, or directional changes.
Because it is efficient, it helps maintain phrasing without interrupting the line of dance.
Exercises to Improve Your Pas de Bourrée
Practicing the mechanics separately can make the step much more reliable in class and performance.
Work on foot speed, balance, and turnout control before adding music.
- Slow tendu passages: build precision in foot placement and extension.
- Relevé holds: strengthen balance and core stability.
- Weight-shift drills: practice transferring weight cleanly from one foot to the other.
- Barre combinations: use simple traveling exercises to reinforce timing and direction.
When practicing, imagine the floor is smooth and resistant at the same time.
The feet should brush and place without collapsing into the floor.
Tips for Beginners Learning Ballet Footwork
If you are new to ballet, it helps to first master the shape of each foot position before trying to do the movement at speed.
Confidence in fifth position, balance on one leg, and basic coordination will make the pas de bourrée easier to understand.
- Practice in front of a mirror to check alignment.
- Start with a slower tempo and gradually increase speed.
- Keep the steps small until the pathway feels natural.
- Ask your teacher whether the step should be dessous, dessus, or another variation.
With consistent repetition, the movement becomes less about thinking through each step and more about maintaining a clear rhythmic pattern.