23/06/2026
Échappé 🩰
An échappé (pronounced ay-sha-PAY) is a fundamental classical ballet step that literally means “to escape” or “slip away.”
What it is
An échappé is a movement where both feet open out at the same time from a closed position (usually 5th position) into an open position:
• most commonly 2nd position (feet apart to the side)
• sometimes 4th position (one foot front, one back)
There are two main types:
1.Échappé sauté (jumping échappé)
2.Échappé relevé / sur les pointes (or demi-pointe)
Good échappé is not about throwing the feet apart — it should feel like:
• a controlled “release” from the center
• both legs working equally
• no collapsing in the hips or ankles
• clean symmetry (both feet travel the same distance)
