How to Stag Leap

Co-authored by Geraldine Grace Johns

Last Updated: March 4, 2024 References

A stag leap is a type of split jump used in genres of dance like ballet. It requires some practice and training to pull off, but when done properly, a stag leap will take your audience’s breath away and set you apart from the crowd.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Performing a Front Stag Leap

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1
Place your feet in fourth position. To enter fourth position, line your feet up so that the toe of your back foot touches the heel of your front foot. Then, move your feet about 1 in (2.5 cm) apart and turn them away from your body.
- If you’d like, you can bend your knees into a demi-plié before performing the leap.
2
Create an “L” shape with your arms. Lift the arm that’s opposite of your rear foot and stretch it out to the side of your body. Then, lift your other arm and stretch it out in front of your body, creating an “L” shape. To ensure you have the best form possible, make sure to point your palms down and keep your arms straight.
- Some dancers prefer to start with both arms stretched out to the side.
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From your starting position, push up from the ground using the ball of your back foot and slide your toe toward the heel of your front foot. When it gets close, push down on the ball of your front foot to propel it into the air, causing your back foot to tap the sole of your front foot. Then, let your front foot glide forward.^{[1]
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4
Move your arms into a “T” shape. As you finish your chassé, move your arms directly in front of your chest to create a broken line parallel to the ground. As with your previous arm formation, make sure to point your palms down.
- When combined with your torso, this arm formation looks like a “T.”
As soon as you finish your chassé, lift up your rear foot and slide it forward past your front foot. Then, place the sole of your new front foot firmly on the ground.
Bend your front knee slightly, then push up from the ground using the ball of your front foot. When you perform this action correctly, you should have enough time to do a half second stag leap.^{[2]
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7
Bring your back leg forward and bend it at the knee. Once you start your leap, lift your back leg off the ground and slide it forward past your front leg. Then, raise your leg so that your thigh is parallel to the ground. As you do this, bend your knee to bring your calf as close to your thigh as possible.
- This position is a parallel passé.
8
Straighten your back leg. After starting your leap, raise your back leg into the air to create a line behind your body. In perfect ballet form, your leg should be completely straight and parallel to the ground.
- This position is a derriere attitude.
- If you’d like, you can bend your back knee as well to perform a double stag leap.
- To perform the best leap possible, try to time your actions so that your front thigh and back leg are parallel to the ground at the same time.
9
Create a “V” shape with your arms. While performing your leap, reposition your arms to create a “V” shape above your head. If you’re going for perfect form, keep your arms completely straight and point your palms away from your body.^{[3]
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- Use your arms to help carry you through the air.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Geraldine Grace Johns
  Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
  
  Expert Interview. 20 May 2021.}
10
Land with your feet turned out. When finishing your jump, land first on your front foot and then on your rear foot. As you land, turn your feet away from your body and assume a position similar to your starting pose.
- Make sure you travel up and through the air, landing softly and with control. Try to keep your head and back supported as you land.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Geraldine Grace Johns
  Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
  
  Expert Interview. 20 May 2021.}
Once you’ve landed, gently slide your arms down to your sides. This indicates the completion of your stag leap. If you’re incorporating the stag leap into a larger routine, slide your arms to the starting position of your next move instead.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Executing a Stationary Stag Leap

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To enter fifth position, place 1 of your feet directly in front of the other as if you were walking on a tightrope. Then, turn your feet away from your body and bring them as close together as possible.
2
Place your arms in first position. To enter first position, hold your arms out in front of your body as if you were carrying a beach ball. Your hands should be about 4 in (10 cm) apart with the fingertips pointing toward each other.
- If you’d prefer, you can hold your arms down closer to your legs. This is known as preparatory position.
3
Go down into a demi-plié. When you’re ready to start the jump, bend your knees to bring your body closer to the ground. Make sure that your feet, arms, and back do not shift or change positions while doing this.^{[6]
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- How far you bend your knees is entirely up to you, though stag jumps tend to look most impressive when you bend your knees as little as possible.
Starting from your demi-plié, straighten your legs and push off the ground using the balls of your feet. As you do, lift your arms above your head and pull them apart slightly.^{[7]
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After starting your jump, raise your front leg up to make your thigh perpendicular with your waist. Then, bend your knee until your thigh and calf are as close as possible, creating a parallel passé.
6
Straighten out your back leg. While performing your parallel passé, straighten your rear leg and kick it out behind your body. Then, raise it up into the air until it is perpendicular with your waist, creating a derriere attitude.
- Some dancers bend their back knee instead of keeping it straight, a move known as a double stag leap.
- Try to line up your movements so that your back leg and front thigh are perpendicular to your waist at the same time.
To complete the jump properly, make sure to land on your front foot first. Then, bring your feet together and lower your arms to resume the starting position.