Which term describes Step of the cat?

Which term describes Step of the cat?

• A. Relevé
• B. Pas de chat
• C. Développé
• D. Echappé

Answer: (B)

Step of the cat describes a jumping, cat-like step where the legs beat one after the other in the air, giving a quick, lively leap. In this movement you push off from a ready position and, as you rise, one leg passes to a retiré (passé) position in the air, then the other leg follows in a similar arc, finishing with a light landing in fifth. The emphasis is on the two quick leg passes in the air and the smooth transfer of weight, not on rising on the toes, extending the leg slowly, or sliding from a closed to an open position. Relevé is simply rising onto the toes from a plié, not a jump. Développé involves extending a leg away from the body and holding it there, usually after a préparation. Echappé is a sliding escape from a closed to an open position, like from fifth to second. None of those describe the cat-like jumping sequence as vividly as pas de chat, which is why it’s the correct term.

Step of the cat describes a jumping, cat-like step where the legs beat one after the other in the air, giving a quick, lively leap. In this movement you push off from a ready position and, as you rise, one leg passes to a retiré (passé) position in the air, then the other leg follows in a similar arc, finishing with a light landing in fifth. The emphasis is on the two quick leg passes in the air and the smooth transfer of weight, not on rising on the toes, extending the leg slowly, or sliding from a closed to an open position.

Relevé is simply rising onto the toes from a plié, not a jump. Développé involves extending a leg away from the body and holding it there, usually after a préparation. Echappé is a sliding escape from a closed to an open position, like from fifth to second. None of those describe the cat-like jumping sequence as vividly as pas de chat, which is why it’s the correct term.