Why do dancers stand with their feet turned out?
• For greater freedom of movement. Many of the steps in ballet are done with the leg extended; the kicks we associate with a chorus line are like this. For various reasons having to do with the structure of the hip joint, a dancer can obtain the greatest extension if the leg is rotated outward, away from its usual position. This rotation means that you can move to the side as readily as to the front or back. You also frequently need to change the position of the feet, from right foot in front to left foot in front or vice versa. One of the most elementary jumps, called a changement de pieds (“change of the feet”; changement for short), consists of nothing else: jump up and land with the other foot in front. These changes must be made very quickly, and again they can be done most easily if the feet are pointed in opposite directions. This position of the legs is known as turnout, and it is probably the most conspicuous aspect of balletic posture. As this description implies, it is mostl
