On Numbering of Entrechat

Entrechat nom commun - masculin (entrechats) en chorégraphie saut vertical et léger pendant lequel les pieds se croisent plusieurs fois de façon rapide

Entrechat is a type of jump that the dancers beat their legs in the air. This term is usually followed by a number denoting the count of the beats.  The counting of beats is from both legs, with beating action defined by crossing two legs in the air. For example, entrechat quatre, which has two beats in the air is counted as 2 beats × 2 legs , and entrechat six, 3 beats × 2 legs. Odd-numbered entrechats are those that land on one leg, where the beat is considered only happened in one foot on landing . For example, entrechat trois is counted: 1 beat (en l'air) × 2 legs + 1 beat (landing). All even-numbered entrechats start from 5th pilé, followed by the first beat changes the front leg to the back through a small 1st en l’air. In contrast, odd-numbered entrechats and royale, have first beat with the same leg in front (illustration below). Both entrechat quatre and royale are common in intermediate-level ballet, while jumps with more than two beats in the air and those land on one leg are considerably more difficult.

Fig: Counting Beats in Royale and Entrechat Trois

Summary -  tips for executing entrechat:

- do not change the feet on landing:

• entrechat quatre, huit
• entrechat cinq

- change the feet on landing:

• royale
• entrechat six,
• entrechat trois, sept