Tendu: The Most Important Exercise in Ballet
If you have watched your child’s ballet class or started adult ballet yourself, you will have seen tendu many times — it appears in virtually every class, at every level, from Pre-Primary through to professional company warm-ups. Understanding what it is and why it matters helps you appreciate why teachers spend so much time on it.
What Does Tendu Mean?
Tendu (full name: battement tendu) is a French term meaning “stretched” or “tight.” In ballet, a tendu is the action of sliding the working foot along the floor until the leg is fully extended and the toes are pointed, then drawing it back to the starting position.
The foot travels along the floor throughout — it does not lift. The toes remain in contact with the floor until the very end of the movement, when only the tip of the pointed toe touches the ground.
The Mechanics of a Tendu
A correctly executed tendu involves:
- A fully stretched, pointed foot — the instep lifted, all toes lengthened along the floor
- A completely straight working leg — no bend in the knee throughout
- A stable, upright supporting leg with the hip square and core engaged
- Turnout maintained from the hip — not forced from the ankle or foot
- Arms held in the correct position for the level and the exercise
The tendu can travel to the front (devant), to the side (à la seconde), or to the back (derrière). It is performed at the barre and in the center of the room.
Why Tendu Is Done Every Single Class
Teachers return to tendu at the start of every barre because it accomplishes several things simultaneously:
- Warms up the foot and ankle — the full stretch and return activates the intrinsic foot muscles that ballet relies on heavily
- Trains the pointed foot — a well-articulated foot is one of ballet’s most fundamental aesthetic requirements
- Establishes turnout — the rotation of the working leg through a tendu reinforces the hip turnout that underpins all classical technique
- Builds the muscle memory for other steps — dégagé, jeté, frappé, and grand battement all begin with the mechanics of a tendu
- Teaches control — the return to fifth or first position requires as much precision as the opening movement
Tendu at Different Levels
At RAD Pre-Primary and Primary level, tendu is introduced in its simplest form — usually called a “point” or a “stretch” — to teach children how to articulate the foot. As students progress through Grades 1 to 8 and beyond, the speed increases, the musicality becomes more nuanced, the port de bras (arm movements) layer in, and combinations of tendu become more complex.
Professional dancers at major companies still begin class with tendu. It never becomes obsolete.
What Good Tendu Looks Like
A well-executed tendu looks clean, effortless, and precise. The foot glides without gripping the floor. The pointed foot has a continuous arc from heel to toe. The body remains still and upright — there is no hip shift, no shoulder rise, no look of effort. The return is as controlled as the opening slide.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do children learn tendu?
The concept of pointing the foot is introduced at Pre-Primary level (age 3–5), though it may not be called “tendu” yet. The formal battement tendu with its technical requirements appears from Grade 1 onwards in the RAD syllabus.
Why does my child’s tendu look messy?
Common issues include a sickling foot (the ankle rolling inward so the toes point to the side), a bent knee, or gripping the toes rather than lengthening them. These are corrected progressively through class. Tense or curled toes are often a sign of tight foot muscles — gentle foot-rolling exercises at home can help.
Is tendu the same as a “point”?
In early childhood ballet, teachers often say “point your foot” to mean the same action. Tendu is the formal classical term used from Grade 1 upward. The mechanics are the same.
Does wearing the right ballet shoe help with tendu?
Yes. A well-fitted canvas or leather ballet shoe that fits snugly allows the foot to articulate fully. Shoes that are too big mask the foot’s line; shoes that are too tight restrict movement. Proper fit is essential for developing a clean tendu.