Cecchetti Grade 1 Exam Practice 2026 – Complete Prep Resource

Turnout is the outward rotation of the legs from the hips, and in Grade 1 you begin to apply that rotation consistently in the movements you practice, especially in plié. The idea here is to initiate the turnout from the hip joints and keep it active all the way through the leg—knees, then feet—as you bend and straighten. This alignment helps the knees track over the feet, improves balance, and provides a stable base for the movement. If turnout were coming only from the feet or not used during plié, the knees could drift inward and you’d lose control and safety.

In Cecchetti Grade 1, turnout is not optional, it’s not limited to a tendu, and you don’t avoid it to protect the knees. Used correctly, turnout supports the joints and the overall quality of the movement. A helpful cue is to think of the thigh bone turning outward from the hip and keeping the knees aligned with the toes throughout the plié.