How to Do the ‘8, 4, 2, 1’ Dégagé Combination | Ballet Tips for Adult Beginners

Let’s tackle one of ballet’s most common combinations: “8, 8, 4, 4, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1.”

It might look simple on paper but don’t be fooled. While the structure is straightforward, executing this dégagé combination well takes musical clarity, clean technique, and precise weight transfers.

For many adult beginners, the biggest challenge is understanding how the leg fits with the music before even getting into the technical details. In this video, I break it down exactly how I do in class with my absolute beginners: we start by clapping the rhythm. It’s a fun, low-pressure way to internalize the music before adding movement.

From there, we’ll talk about how to transfer your weight as you switch legs, so you feel stable and grounded throughout the entire combination.

If you’ve ever struggled with staying in sync during dégagés or felt off-balance while switching sides, this video is for you.

In this video, we’ll cover:
💙 What the “8, 8, 4, 4, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1” dégagé combination is
💙 How to understand and count the music and timing
💙 Tips and tricks for weight transfer when changing legs
💙 How to put it all together with music and experience the full combination with confidence

If you want a more in-depth explanation of how to do a dégagé from 1st please refer to this video:    • How to Do a Dégagé (Jeté) in Ballet | Buil...  

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I’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions about what I covered in this video, or if there’s something from your ballet class that you’d like me to break down or explain, just drop it in the comments!📌

I’m based in Largo, FL! Whether you’re local or visiting on vacation, come dance with me in person. I teach in both our Youth Ballet Program and Adult Dance Program, plus we host annual dance and ballet intensives for dancers from pre-professional to adult. Come join the fun and train with us!

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