What are rond de jambe à terre and rond de jambe en l'air, and what is their training value in Grade 3?

• A. Rond de jambe à terre is a circular movement with the foot brushing along the floor; rond de jambe en l'air is the same circle performed in the air; they train turnout, hip control, and line.
• B. Rond de jambe à terre is performed on the floor; rond de jambe en l'air is a circular movement performed in the air; they train turnout, hip control, and line.
• C. Rond de jambe à terre is a balance exercise; rond de jambe en l'air is a knee bend; they train flexibility only.
• D. Rond de jambe à terre is a circular movement with the foot brushing along the floor; rond de jambe en l'air is the same circle performed in the air; they train ankle flexibility only.

Answer: (A)

The main concept is the circular movement of the leg, done in two ways: on the floor and in the air. Rond de jambe à terre is a circle where the foot traces along the floor, the toe brushing the ground as the leg moves. Rond de jambe en l’air is the same circular path but executed with the leg raised in the air. In Grade 3, the training value lies in developing turnout through external rotation at the hip, improving hip control and stability of the working leg, and establishing a clean line from hip to toe as the leg moves through the circle. The floor version helps coordinate the path with the floor and alignment, while the in-the-air version builds strength and control in the lifted leg while maintaining the same mechanics. The focus isn’t on balance alone or on knee or ankle flexibility in isolation, but on controlled rotation, stable hip alignment, and the leg’s straight line throughout the circle.