Which term would you choose to indicate placement behind in the fourth position?

• A. À la Seconde
• B. Dessous
• C. À la Quatrième derrière
• D. Dessus

Answer: (C)

In Cecchetti ballet terminology, to specify where the feet sit in relation to the body you name the position and whether it’s in front or behind. For the fourth position that sits behind, you use the phrase in the form “à la quatrième derrière.” Here, quatrième indicates the fourth position, and derrière shows that it’s behind. The other terms don’t convey a behind placement in the fourth position: à la seconde names the second position; dessous means underneath or below, and dessus means above or over, neither of which pinpoints a specific behind placement in the fourth position.