Cecchetti Grade 5 Practice Exam

In Cecchetti, retire (retiré) is a withdrawn, compact position where the working leg is turned out from the hip and drawn up so the knee of the working leg comes to rest near the knee of the supporting leg. The emphasis is on turnout, a bent knee, and a pointed foot held close to the supporting leg to create a clean, poised line. That’s why describing it as the working leg being raised with turnout and the foot placed near the knee of the supporting leg fits best. If the leg were described as straight in front, that would be a different movement and line, not retirement. Lifting the leg behind the back describes a rear variation, which isn’t the general retire position. Placing the foot on the ankle misplaces the foot entirely, since retirement requires the foot to meet the knee area, not the ankle.