Leaps are a fundamental skill in all styles of dance, but especially jazz. Frankly, this is one of the harder skills to teach because there are really two skills involved: the prep (either run-run or chasse) and the leap itself. I find it’s best to break the skill down and teach chasses several weeks before leaps.
Before teaching leaps, make sure your students have a strong grasp of the following skills:
- Tendus / Degages (See Battement Prep Lesson Plan)
- Battements (See Battements Lesson Plan)
- Chasses (See Chasses Lesson Plan)
How to Teach Leaps in Beginner Jazz
For true beginners I recommend starting with a simple run-run leap, which is typically easier than chasse-step-leaps for new dancers. At the end of the day, we want them focused on the leap itself without getting lost in the prep.
Here is how I explain and teach the basic mechanics of a leap:
- Have students spread out in center, facing the mirror with hands on hips
- Give every student a dot (if available, a shoe might work)
- Have them step to the left of their dot, then turn and face their dot
- Point your right foot towards the dot, then lift it slightly off the ground
- Plie with your back leg, and “leap” onto your front leg, landing over the dot.
Have the students practice with their hands on their hips several times before introducing arms.
Before I add arms to the leaps, I will have the students repeatedly practice quickly switching their arms from a circle to a high “V,” which are the arms I teach for leaps.
Fair warning, the first time they will try leaps will likely be a little scary… that is okay! The goal here is to simply understand the movements and mechanics of a leap.
Here is what to look for/focus on the first time they try these leaps:
- Landing one leg at a time
- Finding time in the air! There should be a moment where both legs are off the floor, rather than just hopping from one foot to the other
- Arm/Shoulder placement (not hunching, arms move from circle to “V”)
- Straight knees, pointed toes (always)
Have the students practice leaping over their dot several times, then move to across the floor. Sometimes it takes several weeks before the students are ready to take these across the floor, so move at your own pace.
Teaching Leaps Across the Floor:
- Set out 3-4 dots spaced out across the floor
- Students will run to the dot and practice leaping over it
- Use arms! Keeps arms in circle for runs, and move to high “V” for the leap
Last Weeks of Class: Building Intermediate Dancers
- With this being the last lesson plan on the syllabus (for now), I recommend using the last few weeks of class to challenge your students with a more intermediate level combo! Play around with more advanced musicality, faster tempo, direction changes and travel.
- Add modifications for dancers who are ready for more advanced skills (ie aiming for doubles)
- Incorporate strength and flexibility training into every class
Lesson Plan
| Skill | Description | Notes |
| Cardio | 4×8 jumping jacks; 4×8 high knees; 4×8 “butt kicks” | |
| Plié & Relevé | 4×8 Slow pliés and relevés in Parallel 1st and 2nd | |
| Hamstrings | Pike and straddle stretch, flexing and pointing feet. | Pull the belly button to the spine. |
| Core 3-2-1 | 30 Second Plank 20 Sit Ups 10 Push Ups | |
| Active Stretch | Laying on back: “Scissors” (controlled leg lowers/lifts) | Keep the lower back pressed into the floor. |
| Leg extensions on the floor | Starting in butterfly, grab the inside of your right foot | Make sure they don’t lift their hips off the ground |
| Extend to the side, hold for 8 counts | ||
| Repeat with left side | ||
| Repeat with both legs | ||
| Skill Breakdown: Leap | Practice leap over dots, keep hands on hips first then add arms | See explanation at the top of the post! |
| Pas de bourrée to posse/pirouette | Practice pas de bourreee to land in fourth facing the front, and come up to a posse on releve (or do a single turn) Repeat across the floor and to the left side | Refer to Lesson Plan #3 for breakdown in Pirouettes |
| Battements | Step-kick (battements) across the floor (right and left, to the front) | Refer to Lesson Plan #2 for breakdown on battements |
| Run-Run-Leap | Set out 3-4 dots across the floor. Have students take 2-3 steps in between each dot, then they leap up & over the dot. | Refer to explanation at the top of the post |
| Combination | Try to challenge them with a more intermediate level combination! |
