center jumps

[Jim Janney]

My center jumps are really bad. The best I can do looks more like an
X jump. I used to think I needed to work more on flexibility, but I
see other people doing good center jumps in class even though they're
less flexible than I am. Presumably there's some point of technique
I'm missing, but I don't know what it is. Any thoughts or suggestions
would be greatly appreciated.

For context, I'm 48 and have been taking jazz and ballet classes for
about four years now.

[Trog Woolley]

Post by Jim Janney
My center jumps are really bad. The best I can do looks more like an
X jump. I used to think I needed to work more on flexibility, but I
see other people doing good center jumps in class even though they're
less flexible than I am. Presumably there's some point of technique
I'm missing, but I don't know what it is. Any thoughts or suggestions
would be greatly appreciated.
For context, I'm 48 and have been taking jazz and ballet classes for
about four years now.

I always thought that the "secret" to a good jump is the plie; a deep,
properly centered plie helps the dancer into the air. The use of the
floor is important to all aspects of ballet. Take a leason Nijinsky;
when asked about his amazing leaps he said 'I jump into the air, then
I stay there, then I come down'.

[Jim Janney]

Post by Trog Woolley

Post by Jim Janney
My center jumps are really bad. The best I can do looks more like an
X jump. I used to think I needed to work more on flexibility, but I
see other people doing good center jumps in class even though they're
less flexible than I am. Presumably there's some point of technique
I'm missing, but I don't know what it is. Any thoughts or suggestions
would be greatly appreciated.
For context, I'm 48 and have been taking jazz and ballet classes for
about four years now.

I always thought that the "secret" to a good jump is the plie; a deep,
properly centered plie helps the dancer into the air. The use of the
floor is important to all aspects of ballet. Take a leason Nijinsky;
when asked about his amazing leaps he said 'I jump into the air, then
I stay there, then I come down'.

Heh :-) I think it was Clausewitz who said "Everything is very simple
in war, but the simplest thing is difficult." But you're right, a
good plie is the place to start.

On consideration, I think my problem is that you have to develop both
legs a la seconde very quickly, and none of the normal bar exercises
really prepare for that. I've been experimenting with lying on my
back and bringing both legs to retire and then out to second. This
lets me vary the speed as needed, and if my back starts to round I
feel it immediately. And I can do it in my apartment without
bothering people on the next floor down :-)