Jacklyn Dougherty

Ballet Positions of the Hand

Updated: Aug 25, 2022

What are the positions of the hand in ballet?

Here is the common ballet positions of the hand. First and Fourth fingers are curved while the second and third fingers are held together curved. The thumb rests on the first joint of the second finger, touching the inside first joint of the first finger. Wrist curved inward. Bent downward slightly. Curved line of the arm from the shoulders to the fingertips. Performed naturally given soft, non tension. For barre exercise second and third fingers more curved and at the Center exercise less curved. The Arabesque hand is held as above with less curved, palms turned down. Hand turned in an outward direction from bent wrist.

May you reach your center stage

Much Love,

Jacklyn Dougherty

Ballet Positions of the Hand. Photo Credit Jacklyn Dougherty