TURNOUT!  For correct physie positions and dance lines, you must have turnout.  Turnout is simple but you must train your body to do it – to take every step, point and lift with your leg turned out. And every single time you place your feet!  Whether it’s marching, exercises or dancing. Turnout must be from the hip and extend right through the ankle to the toes. You shouldn’t try to turn out your feet without turning out your legs, from the hip.

Sometimes we see girls and ladies competing who have clearly dedicated all year to practising their routines, training in strength and flexibility, perfecting every arm movement and chin line… but they don’t turn their feet out.  What a shame!  If only they would invest some time in working on their turnout.  A fortune gets spent on leotards, tights, hair dos, makeup, bras, nails and even eyelashes. Days are taken off work, flights and accommodation is booked.  This is a huge amount of effort and expense and, when added to the hours of blood, sweat and tears – it may just turn out to be just not worth it (no pun intended!)  So this week, the tip of the week is a plea from your teacher…. please turn out your feet when you do your physie.  (And if you already do, then don’t overdo it – we don’t want duck feet!). Here’s some great examples (above) of turnout captured at last year’s comps…