1. Basic Jazz & Ballet Positions
Dance 10-40S
John Taylor Collegiate
Ms. Warner

2. Feet Position: Ballet vs. Jazz
1st Position
In 1st you should have your feet pointed in the appropriate direction with heels touching.
In this position the soles of your feet and all toes should be flat on the floor.
BALLET
JAZZ

3. Feet Position: Ballet vs. Jazz
2ND Position
In 2ND you should have your feet pointed in the appropriate direction ABOUT SHOULDER WIDTH APART
BALLET
JAZZ

4. Feet Position: Ballet vs. Jazz
3RD Position
In 3RD you should have your feet TOGETHER WITH ONE BEHIND THE OTHER WITH TOES POINTED IN APPROPRIATE DIRECTION.
The Heel of your front foot should be touching the arch or center of your back foot!
BALLET
JAZZ

5. Feet Position: Ballet vs. Jazz
4th Position
In 4th you should have one foot in front of the other ~ 1foot between them.
Toes point an appropriate direction
BALLET
JAZZ

6. Feet Position: Ballet vs. Jazz
5th Position
In 5th you should have one foot in front of the other with toes pointed in appropriate direction.
The heel of your front foot should be touching where your toes connect to your back Foot.
BALLET
JAZZ

7. This diagram shows over-exaggerated turnout

8. Ballet vs Jazz

9. Determining Left vs Right.
When given a position in 3rd, 4th or 5th, your instructor will give you a prompt using Left or Right.
Direction refers to which foot or arm will be INFRONT or make the movement to the new position.
Test Yourself…
L R L R
Front
Front
Jazz 4th Right
Jazz 3rd Left
Ballet 3rd Left
Ballet 5th Right

10. Arm positions: Ballet vs. JAzz
1st Position
Arms should be relaxed with hands ~1 inch lower than your chest line. Arms rounded, fingers relaxed.
Arms are bent at shoulder across chest. All Jazz arms can be done with a closed, open hand or Fist.

11. Arm positions: Ballet vs. JAzz
2nd Position
Arms raised ~ to shoulders and opened to sides.
Hands face forward and fingers are relaxed.
Arms are raised ~ to shoulders and opened to sides.
Hands face forward or down, hands may be open or closed.

12. Arm positions: Ballet vs. JAzz
3rd Position
One arm curves in front with fingers pointed across body, as the other points to Ballet 2nd.
One arm points straight front as the other points straight 2nd.
Hands can be opened or closed.

13. Arm positions: Ballet vs. JAzz
4th Position
One Arm moves above the head while the other remains in 2nd.
Variation: 4th Crossed.
One arm remains in 3rd, while the other travels above the head.
JAZZ

14. Arm positions: Ballet vs. JAzz
5th Position
Both arms are raised above the head.
Variation: Jazz 5th Crossed (Also known as Jazz 6th)
Arms above head cross. Hands can be open, closed or Fisted.
BALLET
JAZZ

15. Arm positions: Ballet vs. JAzz
Bras Bas – At Rest
In 5th you should have one foot in front of the other with toes pointed in appropriate direction.
Jazz At rest can be done with a fist or open hands
JAZZ
BALLET

16. Grab a Partner or a Group of 3 & Spend the rest of the Class Practicing all of the positions. Ms. Warner will review/Test that you have reviewed on your own on Monday. -Have a Good Weekend!