Which term corresponds to the cutting step under and over?

Which term corresponds to the cutting step under and over?

• A. Coupé Dessus
• B. Coupé Dessous
• C. Échappés Relevés sur les Demi-Pointes
• D. Coupés Dessous et Dessus

Answer: (D)

In this movement, the working foot drags lightly across the ankle of the supporting leg as a small cutting action. The terms dessous and dessus specify where that cut goes: dessous means the foot passes under or behind the ankle, while dessus means it passes over or in front. When you’re asked to name the cutting step that covers both possibilities—under and over—the combined term coupés dessous et dessus is used. It signals that you can perform the coupé in either direction around the ankle, which is the essence of this question. The other options refer to either only one direction (over or under) or a different movement altogether, such as an escape onto demi-pointes, which isn’t about the coupé around the ankle.

In this movement, the working foot drags lightly across the ankle of the supporting leg as a small cutting action. The terms dessous and dessus specify where that cut goes: dessous means the foot passes under or behind the ankle, while dessus means it passes over or in front. When you’re asked to name the cutting step that covers both possibilities—under and over—the combined term coupés dessous et dessus is used. It signals that you can perform the coupé in either direction around the ankle, which is the essence of this question.

The other options refer to either only one direction (over or under) or a different movement altogether, such as an escape onto demi-pointes, which isn’t about the coupé around the ankle.