Top 10 Hardest Dance Moves To Pull Off

[@MsMojo]

What do YOU think is the most difficult dance move? Let us know below, and be sure to also check out our video of the Top 10 Most Complicated Dance Scenes to Film - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5DJYqWoZdOFirc

[@Pirategirl4nightwish]

Just a note, en pointe is not a dance move in itself. It’s a technique in ballet.

[@pegasus36au]

I think an honourable mention should go to A La Seconde turns as well :)

[@potatothepotato6547]

You guys are really off

[@linedancergal]

Since I can't do any of them, I reckon all. My legs are aching after watching though.

[@shieldmaidenforchrist1310]

Fouettes are extremely hard, I would say some of the toe hops, like petit pas de chiat en pointe are also extremely hard because you could so easily buckle and sprain an ankle if you are fatigued.

[@elizabethclothier3267]

I'm not surprised that ballet has made this list many times. This is why most of us started at age 4, to slowly and meticulously build on strength, balance, and flexibility.

[@elizabethclothier3267]

@notfiveo Lmao

[@sarahkirchner8919]

You did not start at age 4. Your parents started you at age 4.

[@elizabethclothier3267]

@@sarahkirchner8919 👌

[@kellylundgren4797]

That amazes me, I don't possess the grace or talent required to square dance. Ballet 🩰 so

[@richardtaylor1704]

I don't get number 6 though I know people who are flexible and don't take ballet but can do that on there first try just seeing it once

[@thecomorbiditycurator8018]

grande jete, penche, and arabesque are relatively simple/easy compared to MANY other ballet moves. dancers learn to do these at an early age. I've been doing grande jete and arabesque since I was about 7 or 8. Been doing 180° penche since 10. Ballet/ contemporary/jazz moves that deserve to be considered for the top 10 hardest are fouette turns, firebird leap, cabriole, grand adage, grande jete en tournant, leg hold turns with multiple rotations, turning disc jump (I say this one because it's difficult to synchronize and I've seen several dancers be injured doing it, myself included), aerials, revoltade, and saut de basque (in attitude derriere and en dedan). I know I'm forgetting a few.

[@DashMichaels]

Thank you! I’ve been dancing since I was 8. I saw grand jete and was like WHAT?!

[@avacummings1953]

Ikr I’m 13 and I do all of these daily

[@thecomorbiditycurator8018]

@Eliza Culp I think the video was based on a quick Google search of "difficult dance moves" and they just copy and paste.

[@fabianobispo8110]

For sure. A lot of male Jumps are harder than the cabriole as well. Like double tours, double saut de basque, entrechat six, coupe jete an tournant en manege, among others

[@iheartoyencats]

THIS!! I've been doing both ballet and gymnastics since a young age so when I saw the grand jete, penche, en pointe, straight leg scorpion and arabesque in the list I was like "Huh 😃"

[@cbojorquez]

I used to be a ballet dancer and even though penchés are definitely not easy, there are steps and moves way more difficult. I stopped dancing a while ago and at my tender 46 years old I can still nail pretty decent arabesques and penchés, however, I have been practicing yoga for 20 years, so that might help. The jump you feature as the grand jetté is actually the saut-de-chat. Both are splits in the air, but the difference is that the saut-de-chat starts with the front leg bent and then kick to create an impluse and lift the back leg in the air. In the grand jetté, you have to lift the front leg straight and from there lift the back leg. I always found the grand jetté much more difficult than the saut-de-chat. Fouettés are undoubtedly one of the hardest steps in the ballet world.

[@politemenace5781]

Agreed. I haven't danced in years but j can still do a decent penché. Italian fouettés were always insane to me, probably one of the most difficult ballet moves to pull off

[@djohns9919]

I was looking for this comment, the funny thing is I also think the difficulty depends on whether you are a turner or you are better at creating lines/the strength-flexibility side of things. I have shorter legs and bad hips, and I always found fouettés and turning in general much easier. Happy to say I haven't lost my arabesques and penchés just yet, but I am only 7 years out!

[@bonnie.f]

I'm glad someone mentioned that they showed a saut-de-chat instead of a grand jete.

[@cbojorquez]

@@djohns9919 exactly!! It all depends on your body type and the type of natural strenght and flexibility you have. I am naturally flexible, was an OK spinner but nothing special, and not a great jumper. Yoga has helped me to keep strong and flexible but since yoga is a discipline that doesn't have any leaps or turns, I don't think I could even nail two fouettes in a row.

[@sslssg247]

Thank you for pointing out the saut-de-chat! I haven't danced in over 20 years now, and I was never a professional, but when I nailed fouettés I was ecstatic. I do have shorter legs so that might have helped. I was a better turner than I was a jumper.

[@LillyMilo135]

As a tap, jazz, ballet, and contemporary dancer, (started when I was three and I’m currently 17)I’m just gonna say paddle and rolls are actually what the young ones learn very early on. It’s actually a very easy step, its just perfecting the speed and sound that’s harder.

[@elizabeths1037]

I've been dancing for 6 year and that truck is not that hard .

[@iluvpasketti]

I completely agree. I feel like pendulum wings, alternating single pullbacks, and other stuff like that mwould be way more qualified for the list of "top 10 hardest dance moves"

[@paulinam.5149]

That is exactly what I wanted to say, six year olds can learn that step in one day, it's basic and really easy. Maybe they just wanted people to comment on their video, because saying paddles are hard, it's a joke.

[@LynneLombardi-o6d]

The proper name for that step is paradiddle. I’ve never heard it called paddle and roll and I’ve been dancing for 67 years. And that second tap step is a shuffle pull back.

[@jennakhai]

Can i be decent dancer to perform if i start at the age of 20?

[@missguttz]

I have tapped for 15 years. I can honestly say that the "paddle and roll" or as I like to call it "paradiddle" is probably one of, if not the easiest tap step. If you're looking for the "hardest dance moves to pull off" I would start with some river dance or just an overall harder step like a one footed wing. There is no actual speed to tapping either, you can do it as fast or as slow as you'd like. Sometimes tapping slower is harder.

[@ReaghanReilly]

@MissGutts I've tap danced twice as long as you and agree with you completely - wings from one foot are one of the hardest and not very spectacular to look at, really, so not worth it except to show off to other tap dancers, eh? 😃 For beginners, wings from two feet are difficult, but after a couple of years practice, most tap steps are easy. It's just about keeping the joints relaxed, moving the feet quickly and keeping the rhythm. Practice makes perfect! 😃 Ballet and break dancing have some incredibly impressive moves and I agree with others in the comments - would LOVE to see dance forms from outside of the Western world.

[@spenny1mac]

Professional dancer here and I completely agree

[@addybass2880]

Totally agree

[@SG31792]

Oh yeah, I completely agree!

[@marialorge3642]

Also agree. I laughed out loud when they said "paddle rolls" 😂😂

[@Ghost084]

I appreciate that these were mostly all based on physical, bodily-taxing difficulty, but i feel like there could be a separate top 10 that goes over some of the absolutley wild Latin dance moves that require incredible technical skill and timing. They may not be as physically demanding per se, but the crazy speeds and sharp precision in every move makes them arguably extremely difficult as well

[@susannicolari7335]

I completely agree with this I have figure skated my entire life and Ballet is part of the training at 44 I decided on a whim to take Ballroom dance.The Latin dances are very challenging for me the quickness and the “sharp” turns and the fluidity while doing the steps is far more challenging than I realized.Graceful is easy for me but Latin steps and style not so easy

[@LeoaDoNorte-i8g]

Look for "frevo", a brazilian dance. It's difficult in many ways. Unfortunately whoever made the video knows nothing, but the culture from the US.

[@elli8225]

I agree, also in ballroom dancing there are incredibly difficult moves, like the „Fleckerl“ which you aren’t even allowed to dance until a certain point

[@franzihardt502]

I feel the same about figure skating. I don't know why that didn't even make the list actually.

[@elvinmay54]

It would be nice to see a more varied display of dance genres. Ballet and break dancing are not the only dances that possess difficulty. Belly dancing, tap (briefly mentioned), Russian traditional dances, Flamenco, Indian classical, Tahitian and Polynesian dances to name a few. Not to mention, the plethora of traditional dances around the world.

[@CloudedTear816]

Yessssss I was thinking the same thing like, you said you would do different genres but it was only one or two really, then an Honorable mention for the (seemingly) Spanish dance move.

[@kyleeconrad]

Argentine Tango, jive and swing moves too. You could argue modern disco as well.

[@tessluchsinger9200]

Agreed. Many traditional dances have difficult moves performed one after another quickly, or even simultaneously. As a belly dancer, I’ve learned to layer several moves over each other. The difficulty lies in doing them smoothly and effortlessly, as well as correctly.

[@BossladySupreme313]

Agreed

[@Camrteolnyo]

Salsa Caleña- Colombian Salsa It’s a very difficult technique and strength not everyone is willing to train for it

[@marcusnathandee5768]

Paddle and roll 0:33 Cabriole 1:45 Headspin 2:45 Monkey flip 3:48 Penché 4:46 Grand adage 6:03 Flare/flair 7:21 Grand jeté 8:15 Fouetté 9:15 One handed chair flare 12:05

[@chocolatechipbtch495]

Ty 😊

[@Screech911]

The paddle and roll isn’t even that hard. I think tap steps like that look hard because people who don’t dance see fast movement and hear a lot of sounds, however.. it’s really not that hard to do a shuffle pick up change cramp.

[@bleeka325]

Thank you !

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

Tap is amazingly difficult. Ann Miller (dancer and actress from the Golden Age of film) could tap 500 times per minute!!!

[@Ash_Cat9]

Tap is quite easy in my opinion, it was easy for me to pick up and iv been doing it for years without issues.

[@kellymcphaul2793]

She was amazing.

[@teresanorbraten8803]

Watch her “Too Hard Hot” from the “Kiss Me Kate” movie!

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

@@Ash_Cat9 I wish I was that coordinated.

[@susanwalker7816]

I think Ms. Miller in sadly underrated.

[@misspickles47]

The first time I went to the ballet, I literally cried like a baby. It was just so freaking beautiful, that I couldn't help it. Now I go every chance I get.

[@marcusnathandee5768]

9:31

[@bluedancelilly]

As a ballet and tap dancer, I can say that most of the steps they give in those 2 dance genres are not hard except for Feutte turns and cabrioles. The rest are either beginning or intermediate steps. And a paddle is not hard in tap (actually I'm not sure what they were trying to show there as there were 2 or 3 different tap steps shown). There are much harder steps in both tap and ballet.

[@AbbyMaskell]

I agree. I've been tapping for ten years and the moves they showed were very simple. While I'm not as proficient in ballet, I can still do all the moves listed

[@carastone3473]

@@AbbyMaskell - simple…if you’ve been tapping for TEN YEARS. 🤦‍♀️

[@AbbyMaskell]

@@carastone3473 The paradiddle they showed is literally something you learn in junior tap classes

[@addybass2880]

They showed me in the 4-5 beginning class 🙄

[@sarachavods5306]

no frrrr like girl padle roll is taught to our 8 year olds

[@connielichtenberg8816]

The muscle control on the grande adage and the cabriole is absolute perfection.

[@m.x.b.9949]

Also, the jump you feature as the grand jetté is actually the saut-de-chat. Both are splits in the air, but the difference is that the grand jetté doesn't allow you to bend the front knee first, instead one must push kick it with a straight knee into the air.

[@michguy1019]

Thank you for mentioning that. It's a pet peeve of mine since so many refer to both as grand jete

[@cinnamonstyx8]

Yea, I get it. Grand jettés are much harder

[@leighwhitson6618]

i was looking for this comment because i thought i was crazy

[@mane53017]

I WAS GOING TO COMMENT THIS, THAT WAS A DEVELOPÉ

[@auroraallaby-deziel9441]

Yes actual grand jetés are hard as fuck

[@saramae2516]

Thank you for including "Center Stage" in you video. One of my favorite movies and gave me courage when I "wasn't the right body type."

[@Andie0422]

I honestly love how many of not most of the hard steps are ballet ones not a lot of people now how hard ballet truly is. Such a beautiful and graceful dance requires a lot of technique and core muscles. Which is why it is always better to start as early as you can with it.

[@nemo227]

Fascinating! Delightful. We saw Nureyev do a cabriole in San Francisco. He entered from stage left and it seemed as though he remained in the air. We had not attended a ballet before then. We were IMPRESSED. It was a piece of history.

[@MLisaKiser]

Male dancers (ballerinos) are so strong it's like every jump and leap they do is as if they are flying. They're so amazing and certainly deserve all of the recognition they receive and more as some of the most amazing dancers in the world.

[@nemo227]

@@MLisaKiser I am a believer.

[@greenLimeila]

Nureyev is crazy good at jumps, he really looks like he's defying gravity. I would have loved to see him live! (but he died just a few days before I was born....)

[@AbbyMaskell]

Tap is definitely harder than it looks, though the move chosen, what I know as a paradiddle, isn't that hard. Trickier ones are ripples, pick-ups onto your toes (like en pointe on your toes) and wing variants like pendulums

[@naamahlewis2972]

Bellydance looks easy but its hard because it uses fine muscles in the body yet its still fun and sexy.

[@baileybeans9583]

And also a paradiddle couldn’t be an easy step honestly what about step overs, where you jump over your whole foot,triple pullbacks ,single wing litterally anything other than paradiddles

[@tofadeawayagain]

Yes, if those had been pendulums or single legged wing pullbacks, I’d call that hard.

[@auroraallaby-deziel9441]

Yes pick ups onto your toes and all wings are difficult to get all the sounds at first

[@sidewayscake]

Same with ballet

[@philsonslament9955]

For tap, think about it, not only are they dancing in incredibly coordinated ways, but they are also creating an audible rhythm that accentuates the movie’s score.

[@vintagegal541]

Every single one of these moves need to be admired, respected and really held in high esteem for any dancer that can maneuver their bodies the way that they can. I will say that the first time that I saw Baryshnikov perform a Cabriole, I gasped and my heart stopped.

[@kalinaphillips9779]

What you have missed are dance moves from folk dances, especially Russian ones: floating step (best seen in the dance Birch Tree) or squat steps in Cossacks dances.

[@Sarah_McMenomy]

All of these moves are incredibly difficult, but I can name a few more. I’ve been an Irish dancer for 14 years, and there are some pretty difficult risky moves and jumps, and I definitely recommend looking them up, because they are impressive to watch. The Box Jump, The Bicycle Jump, High Heel Click, Birdie, Double ups, Rear click, Click Whip, Double Click, Alligator Jump, and many more. The moves you don’t see in shows as often are the Box Jump, as well as the Bicycle Jump because of how difficult they are to do at high tempos and land them properly.

[@Kinchan5]

Yes, with you. I am also an Irish Step dancer and the Bicycle Jump and many of the whip clicks are brutally hard to master. I have almost passed out a few times when I’ve hit my ankle bone with the fiberglass tip of my hard shoe in an attempted click. So painful, so risky... I have broken my foot on more than one occasion landing a leap over or bicycle jump just slightly off.😊 But have loved every minute of Irish, there is nothing like it and certainly the most rigorous dance form since you are always on your toes.

[@Sarah_McMenomy]

The injuries are real. I sprained my ankle learning how to to the Box Jump, and I sprained my ankle badly recently that I’m still recovering from. But hey, I love Irish dance with everything in me, and I wouldn’t trade anything for it. A rare type of dance, but it’s one of the more unique and special dances in my opinion.

[@jaimeebeard618]

So true. Learning those heel clicks always brings ankle bruises. It just gets worse when you advance from that. Shin splints don't help either.

[@sallyrickerson9139]

Hi Sarah. Thank you for mentioning Irish dance! I am not an Irish dancer, but passionately in love with this Dance form. The cardiovascular stamina for this intense high energy dance is mind blowing. As well, the dancers being in perfect unison at such high speeds with difficult steps takes years+ of intense study. I wonder with your years of experience if you went professional. God bless.

[@meganmclerran4333]

Heh, fractured my shin and tore my plantar fascia in the past year alone from Irish dancing, and yet I'm going back once again...

[@Jen-jo5qu]

The mix of breakdancing and ballet here is amazing. Such a fun list of challenging moves.

[@ChloGouam692]

So I was a trained/competitive dancer consistently from the age of 6 to 18. And I’m 29 now. This makes me want to go back and take classes again lol. Especially since turning was ALWAYS a weak spot for me lol. But leaps and any other jumps I got you even till this day 🙌🏾lol

[@briheartsgames7651]

Do it sounds fun its good exercise and gives you a chance to do a little something for you just cause you want to. This is your sign do it do it do it lol

[@ChloGouam692]

@@briheartsgames7651 Lol! Noted! 🤸🏾‍♀️🙌🏾

[@shpgrl1026]

Right there with you. I am feeling the same way.

[@jessicaspecht]

I appreciate that you actually showed clips of HOW to be able to do these movements, instead of just breezing through the list saying they were difficult.

[@celeste2025]

As someone who specialized in only one type of dance their whole life, I think there should be so many more mentioned here. I tried tap, ballroom, hip hop, jazz, modern; and I STRUGGLED. HARD 😂 and of course ballet was a pain in my behind but the other genres were hard as well

[@AustinAngela]

I adore Center Stage. Such a great movie and the dancing was superb!

[@lizzbanalagaynagengast3983]

Similarly to Grande adage, I think petit allegros are hard. They are quick jump combinations often involving mid-air beating of the feet. Which requires a lot of strength, precision and grace to make it look easy and not sound like a bunch of bricks flying through the air

[@Sarahstrasza]

As a person who doesn't dance, I can testify that in my 39 years of life, anyone who can do any of these dances deserve a pat on the back for learning such amazing skills. Regardless of how easy the ex dancers claim they may be to them.

[@SeptimaKitten]

Wow.. these dancers make these things look so easy.. but it really goes to show how amazing and skilled these super human people are. ❤️

[@ddc7668]

Loved all however nothing can top Baryshnikov’s double Cabriole ❤ Grace, power, height, control, stupendous 🚀

[@ladyjustice1474]

I took ballet and tap when I was in grade school for about 2yrs. It didn't stick, but did give me a deeper appreciation for dance in general.

[@MLisaKiser]

Something I never knew about ballet until I started doing it is that every single tiny (or huge) movement they do requires so much strength, flexibility and balance and your positioning and posture are always key. Keeping your hips turned out and all the way down to the way you point your foot and toes, it takes years to develop the muscles, tendons and bones in your entire body to master some of the most simple steps down to the basic 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th positions. It is so much of an art form than most people will ever be able to understand from an audience point of view. When you get really good at it, there's nothing that you cannot do with your body and it is the most incredible and free feeling I have ever experienced in my life and something that I will never be able to forget.

[@roxannemiller1051]

Also tap dancing is amazingly difficult I adore the movies of the golden age of Hollywood including the one you included with the scene with Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor dancing in singing in the rain. Back then when they did musicals and movies they went on pure talent and those people worked their butts off to turn out those movies.

[@ImnotAngel265]

10. Paddle and Roll 9. Carriole 8. Head spin 7. Monkey flip 6. Penché 5. Grand Adage 4. Flare/Flair 3. Grande Jeté 2. Fouetté 1. The worm

[@dancerx411]

I am very proud to say that I can do the tap steps in this video, a grand jête, and a penché (not as good as them, but they're still pretty good!) Although, I must say, as a dancer who does ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre and lyrical; grande jêtes are REALLY not all that difficult. They're difficult, yes, but there are a LOT more steps that are SO much harder in ballet. But I can confirm that fouettés are a BEAST! I really like how you included the 32 fouettés because that is one of the most notorious steps for being difficult in the ballet world. I would also like to say that pointe is an entirely different style (for lack off a better term) of dance, not necessarily one move. A lot of the ballet moves mentioned are done on pointe making them 10 times harder. P.S if I sound like a stuck up dancer, thats not my goal, I just felt like sharing my take on a few of these steps that I have either done or attempted. Also, the cabriole should be WAY higher! Those things are impossible!

[@chloeboozer6376]

with you! I used to do literally everything you just listed and boy were grand jets HARDDDD

[@emmacarroll3665]

Personally I was always good at anything that involved beats so I found cabrioles far easier than grand jetes!

[@dancerx411]

@@chloeboozer6376 I agree- They're definitely a difficult step. I just don't believe they are one of the hardest steps, for there are a lot of steps that are far harder!

[@dancerx411]

@@emmacarroll3665 Wow! That's highly impressive. Cabrioles are not easy for me at all, so I applaud you for that lol

[@cinnamonstyx8]

Right with you! Grand jettés are hard but fouettés (especially 32) take the life out of me. Italian fouettés I find easier and I don’t know why. A la secondes I’m never good at.

[@rohancuthill1677]

Grande jete and paradiddle made it onto the same list as cabriole, fouettes and headspins. Lovely to see how much research actually goes into these videos.

[@gwynadams4069]

I can appreciate these, but I wish more than just ballet and break dancing were used. There are lots of styles that have difficult moves.

[@moniqueengleman873]

Nothing is more taxing than any other art form. Ballet dancers are the best trained athletes in the world.

[@iLoveTheEighties80]

I guess you missed the tap dancing as well.

[@andreasp2943]

In bellydance one of the hardest is the Turkish Drop. You have to spin very fast, then drop to the floor with a curved spine using your knees and a backend to avoid hitting your head. In some variations, after spinning, then falling, the bellydancer rises using their torso in a zipper move, then proceeds to do another layback. You require strong knees, strong and flexible spine and hardcore abs. Thus, getting over the fear of falling backwards as your brain will prevent yourself from doing so as your brain doesn't want you falling rapidly to hit the back of your head. So you need to override that safety-mechanism any human has to be able to drop quickly. You can see one in a video titled 'Norma Detroit Belly Dancer, Beledi Taqsim, Drum Solo, Turkish Drop ' from 5:30 to 5:43.

[@tessluchsinger9200]

@@andreasp2943 Yes! I would argue that a Turkish drop is more difficult, and potentially hazardous, than any ballet move.

[@cinnamonstyx8]

Just hearing the description makes my head hurt.

[@sikay6340]

When you dissect and breakdown each move in ballet it is truly impressive.

[@lesyadfromaus]

I think you forgot about a whole genre of dancing- Cossack dancing (Ukrainian and Russian dancing) that has extremely athletic moves like the leg flare as well as others. But thanks, I enjoyed this apart from that oversight!

[@prissylovejoy702]

Can’t put them all in.

[@wordforger]

@@prissylovejoy702 No, but how many ballet and break dance moves did they REALLY need to put in there?

[@cinnamonstyx8]

Well, fouetté is definitely on e of the hardest, so I’m kinda glad she mentioned that.

[@cinnamonstyx8]

I’ve done 32 before and I lost my spot, to I got really dizzy and once almost fell.

[@tanyayelina6830]

Cossack dancing has nothing to do with russia It is the Ukrainian dance!

[@mariadevries416]

8:16 that's a Saut de Chat, not a grand jete, the front leg brushes up and stays straight in a grand jets, whereas the video shows the leg bending before straightening in the air, which is a saut de chat. Also, while it's not easy to do perfectly, it is not too hard of a move, especially compared to a double-pirouette or something

[@parkrina303]

Sad ballroom dancing hasn’t been included, it gets extremely difficult with the flexibility, fast footwork, partner coordination, rhythm etc. Some figures (specific steps in a certain order) require full weight on one or both stiletto heels of your dance shoes. The speed and difficult steps together while keeping up with the music is so easy to land on the floor instantly if even the smallest thing goes wrong. Not for the faint of heart.

[@jaimeebeard618]

Agreed.

[@Gl3aming]

I have been training since I was five and I would say one of the hardest moves are the extreme positions in waltz like contra check and throw away and a lot more. I had all of them in my combinations and I think somethings are even harder in ballroom and latin than ballet. Ballet sometimes gets too much credit and is always seen as the classical dance even though ballroom has been around for a longer time. Latin is also hard as you said with the fast footwork and the stiletto heels. You need a lot of coordination and memory to remember everything since most dancers have multiple combinations.

[@carolinemillington4933]

I was hoping some Ballroom moves may show up on here, too!

[@accordionchick]

I would agree about Ballroom dancing. As a retired Ballroom Dance instructor, there is a lot to say about each of the dances in Ballroom and what it takes to flow effortlessly. I would not be retired right now except for the fact that NO ONE IS INTERESTED IN LEARNING. If it’s not easy, today’s generation is not interested. They rather spin on their heads! Yeah, I’ll be dancing gracefully when I’m in my 80’s and 90’s (I’m 70 now), but I’d like to see some dude spinning on his head when he’s 90! HAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!

[@haydaydaily792]

I somewhat agree but definitely not harder than what’s on this list(most of them)

[@_marilynns..masterpieces_]

Honestly, watching this video, I’d never thought “Paddle and Rolls,” Penchés, andGrand Jete’s were ever that hard, so I was surprised by them being on this list. I’ve always been a leaper, Then I took a moment to realize that I’ve been dancing for 9 years, and that I’ve been doing them for as long as I can remember. I definitely suppose time is a huge factor in this list!

[@YTWX]

Ballet will always be the hardest art. I come from a sports background (rhythmic gymnastics) and I used to do hip hop when I was younger. I taught myself how to do hip hop moves but ballet? Now, that took me out; maintain turn out, don't sickle the feet, keep your hips level, go to your highest demi pointe, stretch the arms out in second but still keep it rounded and I can go on. You definitely need a teacher otherwise you'll learn incorrect technique.

[@sumithrad5413]

Hello . I want to ask one question . I love rhytmic gymnastics so much and i want to learn it but i am 15 now turning 16 this year. Is is too late to start the sport?

[@YTWX]

@@sumithrad5413 You can do rhythmic gymnastics recreationally but some clubs consider 15 as an adult age. You can find a club where they take on adults and older amateur gymnasts. You can do it for fun.

[@sumithrad5413]

@@YTWX Thank you so much but can't i do professionally?

[@YTWX]

@@sumithrad5413 Unfortunately, no. You have to start when you're a child and most rhythmic gymnasts quit at the ages 19-23

[@sumithrad5413]

@@YTWX oh ok . Thank you so much 😀😀😀😀

[@chrissyw.7500]

Loved this! I was super surprised to see Ray demonstrating a tap move...He was my best friend in Jr high!!

[@MsMojo]

So cool!

[@paul8926]

Trust me, the cabriole is very difficult….that’s why I respect ballet dancers !

[@dancingqueen01981]

I follow you on that one. I don't understand how a penché is higher up the list than a cabriolle!

[@michelleduquette3725]

@@dancingqueen01981 Penchees really aren't all that difficult, in my opinion, anyway!!!

[@mmm-uw1ep]

The squat dance seen in traditional Russian dance always mesmerized me as a kid and still entertains today. If you're looking for a marriage of classic ballet and modern street dance have a look at White Nights featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines.

[@Pattiepies55]

Donald O'Connor was a brilliant and very underrated dancer.

[@basilhowell2313]

lmao the breakdance moves in here are very hard, but as a ballet dancer, the ballet ones are not hard. adagio is always exhausting because it's a test of endurance, but i wouldn't say it's difficult. also there is a difference between a grand jete and a saut de chat. fouettes are hard though, i will give you that one.

[@darkangel7589]

I fucking hate adagio 😭😭 Also it took me a year to learn fouettés. 🤭

[@zazanova7327]

this is all impressive and don't misunderstand me ballet is tricky but irish dance and all kinds of southeast european or greek folklore dances are far more trickier to dance than this because it depends on the pattern of many people to create i mean everybody in bulgaria who has learned rachenica or cirtaci knows the game you start slow and go fast in time and you must hold the pace

[@jonscreen7698]

So, those are difficult but they're 'dances' not 'dance moves' so they're not eligible for the list. The list is about difficult dances moves which could be performed within a dance, not the dance itself.

[@zazanova7327]

The steps are Not that easy, there is a reason why countries like Ireland and Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria have Ensembles you pay to see the art which is created. Plus they hold a cultural importance in those countries. You can not learn those dances if you are not in touch within those cultural circles. I learned basics in order to dance at events like weddings, or summer festivals. To say a ballet move is harder to learn than holding a pace of tricky foot pattern combinations within a group of people, who all have to know the moves in order to look nicely paced is a bit strange and not fair towards people of the Southern Hemisphere.

[@castlekiller157]

Although I truly agree with this list, especially the fact that it is mainly breakdance and ballet derived over, I can't help but feel as a former dancer that pole dance was heavily ignored and is constantly underrated. As well as belly dance. Both insanely athletic and difficult feats. I hope one day that is recognized here

[@dakotamabry1645]

Pole dancing looked fun , don't want to be a stripper but I do know a place I can take classes and dress in stilettos and be half naked in safety and men aren't allowed in , but the classes are kind of expensive..

[@castlekiller157]

@@dakotamabry1645 Yes indeed, I have been a strong advocate that pole dance does NOT equal stripping, and it is for one's self and not just for man or others pleasure.. it is to express, to exercise, to explore, to strengthen, to be free, to have fun. Classes are indeed expensive, and I have yet to take one. I taught myself online after about 5 years of watching obsessively on KZbin and have had championship pole dancers comment on my ig that I was a natural. I promise you don't always need those expensive classes ❤️ you just need the want for it and once you have it, you might just be hooked. 😀

[@dakotamabry1645]

@@castlekiller157 I much rather not where stilettos and dress comfortable.. all that is to much

[@westzed23]

These moves are so impressive. I thought you might have shown some men's Ukrainian dance moves. Perhaps you can do another list showing difficult moves in ethnic dance, like Ukrainian and flamenco or Irish? 🕴🏻💃💗

[@glittergal1015]

I love this idea!!!

[@pocketwatchtraveler1]

Love this! It'd make a great list. I also thought of native dances too, I thought for sure highland dancing might have been mentioned in this, just watching them makes my feet hurt.

[@GoBlue1956]

I agree! Riverdance comes to mind.

[@andidreyes5323]

Filipino glass dance, filipino bamboo dance. The glass is always filled and its controlled movement. Very slow or very fast spins so you don't lose any water. The bamboo dance has her dancing around 2 bamboo sticks that smack the floor then each other. She's supposed to dance in and out and any mistakes and she's possibly getting broken ankles or toes. It's awesome to see when a master dances because she dances in & out of the bamboo as the music gets faster and the bamboo slams faster & faster.

[@candicehoneycutt4318]

That Chinese bamboo dance on the water sounds absurdly difficult

[@philsonslament9955]

Agreed. Not that I know anything about dancing but video seems about right to me.

[@mermaidopulence8539]

As a ballet dancer I'm glad to see our art form included as well

[@gardenlover9663]

The scenery shown in the ballet at the Royal Opera House is stunning. Love this video.

[@m.x.b.9949]

NOTHING in the dance world looks as hard as it is!! Only when someone has tried/done the movement will they truly understand how hard it is.

[@mr_knowitall]

Break dancing looks hard. Ballet looks easy except for standing on the tips of their toes.

[@michelleduquette3725]

@@mr_knowitall That's all you know!!!

[@cinnamonstyx8]

Break dancing already looks hard. When it’s other types of dance (especially ballet) it’s part of your job to make it look easy

[@stormyskyz4251]

Ugh, I remember practicing the grand jettes over and over in a constant line during practice. Dreaded it. Looking in the mirror doing “great, dang it, dang it, close, YES, YES, nooooo” lol

[@darkangel7589]

I always feel like I’m flying when I do grand jettes. I find them to be pretty easy.

[@Kate-ct9ys]

@@darkangel7589 yeah I was gonna say, they’re really not that hard. Especially not out of all the hard things you can do in ballet.

[@Larzaparz]

I LOOOOOVE CENTER STAGE!!!! One of the best dance movies, ever!!

[@legoqueen2445]

Thx so much for breaking down the ballet moves. I've never really appreciated ballet until now, understanding the complexity of a ballet move gives more context to what is happening on stage.

[@julesf5792]

I've been dancing for 12 years, although most of these moves are simple for me, it took me such a long time to properly do them!

[@melanietoth1376]

I love ballet. I'm so impressed with the movement. I meet so few of my generation who enjoy it though

[@tsa66]

I love that a tap dance move made the top 10. That is one of my favorite moves.

[@singer2be256]

I enjoyed seeing Kathryn Morgan's tutorials here. She's my favorite!

[@cinnamonstyx8]

With you!

[@n8vsprt315]

I agree immensely 😇

[@anitadeclerck6000]

Anything and everything ballet is just magical! Simply awesome and very hard work.

[@donaldholderdoc2910]

While I give in to the complexities of nreak dancing IMO there is NOTHING as gorgeous or difficult than a full ballet. The likes of Baryshnikov, Nureyev, Ana Pavlova, Misty Copeland and Svetlana Zakharova are simply beautiful to watch snd they do it consistently, night after night and during a 2+ hour ballet!

[@soph.dances]

as a competitive dancer, most of these things are easy for me, but I can see how some could possibly be harder for some people who aren't that experienced. (also, the grand jette you included in this video was not really one, since the dancer started with their leg bent in a passe position instead of kicking it up right away)

[@MLisaKiser]

I noticed that right away. What makes a grande jetté different than a regular "split leap" is that the front leg sweeps from the floor up into the split leap without the leg being bent. It takes so much more strength to do a leap without being able to fling that front leg from the knee. One other move I would mention that is breathtaking is a switch-split leap, where you switch the split in mid air, or a switch to center split leap, where you switch from a front split to a middle split leap in mid air, which you don't often see in classical ballet but back when I was a highly competitive dancer in the 90's they were in every routine I did. It's very hard to explain it in words, but beautiful to see in person. I wish I had never stopped dancing!!❤

[@shieldmaidenforchrist1310]

Ballet is probably the hardest dance overall when it comes to mastery, but some other styles have different types of challenges or physical attributes you are either born with or are not that are required to successfully do the skills at all.

[@mr_knowitall]

When it comes to mastery, ballet might be hard, but most of these moves could probably be approximated by any agile dancer. If break dancing was formalized like ballet, spinning on the head wouldn't suffice anymore. You'd have to spin on the head with perfect balance and form.

[@shieldmaidenforchrist1310]

@@mr_knowitall That's true, almost anyone can take a ballet class and learn over 90% of the steps at some level. However, mastery, professional level performance in ballet takes many years of multiple hours per day training and even then only a small percentage can have a professional career. Break dancing is incredibly hard, but I doubt many people spend up to 4-5 hours a day for 10 years training to be a break dancer. And that said, not everyone is born with a body structure that can safely perform those moves at any level without risk of severe spinal injury.

[@mr_knowitall]

@@shieldmaidenforchrist1310 I don't know how many hours the elite break dancers spend training. I wouldn't doubt it's comparable to ballet. The main difference, however, is that break dancing prioritizes innovation over perfect form. The best dancers are the ones who can come up with new moves. I've seen dozens of moves harder than a simple flare or a monkey flip.

[@zinzincoetzee1934]

​@@shieldmaidenforchrist1310 Breaking requires more strength, originality, creativity and endurance. All of this and most of us didnt have special training areas specifically designed for us. The most elite breakers can carry their own body with their arms like its their legs. Lets see ballerinas trying to do the hardest powermoves out there. It wont end well.

[@mcdancer8739]

I am dying of laughter rn. As a competitive dancer who does all styles paddle and grapoffs (the 2 tap steps in the beginning) are some of the most basic steps in the style. Panache and Grande Jete are also steps that we all learned in the beginning.

[@sofiaharlow3813]

A video about irish dance moves in this same style would be great because it's very impressive and hard to learn.

[@ellajument]

Especially when you can’t use your arms for momentum

[@ghillies4life]

Yeah, as an Irish dancer, I saw cabriole and thought, "So a bump, but without your arms." (And the world-class ballet men are jumping higher, but they're world class and have their arms to launch).

[@meganmclerran4333]

Of course the problem with irish dance moves is most of them have fifty thousand different names depending on who you ask at what time of day and what they ate for lunch

[@deblopez2571]

The headspin from 'Wild Boys of the Road 1933 blew me away! Who knew. Enjoying this with a coffee 'thank you for this great share MsMojo❤

[@Vegan007]

I found wings in tap dance, and Italian fouttes in ballet to be the most difficult of each.

[@cinnamonstyx8]

For some odd reason, Italian fouettés came easier to me than regular fouettés and a la secondes

[@veer4849]

whats the difference between Italian fouttes and fouttes-?

[@kellicat6352]

Ah the Ballett. So beautiful, powerful and graceful. Bravo 👏

[@lizziewalker9374]

All these moves are super hard and super dope at the same time! Take a Penché move and add Ice skates. The move is called the Charlotte spiral where you tip forward while skating backwards. 😱To do that move you must know how to do a Penché first! The same for Straight Leg Scorpion is commonly seen in ice skating (they do train in ballet so it makes sense!) either in a Spiral variation or in a Variation of a Biellmann spin. When you are a non dancer that loves dance ALL of these moves are hard. 😂

[@marquezdennis]

Such fun to see the monkey flip here! When I was performing in Tarzan the Musical we did lots of these 8 shows a week 😅 No way in hell could I pull one off now 15 years later 🙈

[@Mag97ic]

Would agree with all, but when you include gymnastics you also absolutely have to include PoleDance. Sooo many hard tricks to learn 😅

[@lizetteeckman1452]

Used to dance tap and jazz for theatre. We did an all tap show once and would have 2 hour tap rehearsals - never worked out harder in life! And, yes, I looked great!

[@KaseyKay92]

It’s hard to pick a favorite. All dances are beautiful~

[@southernwanderer7912]

I'm always impress by ballet dancers. They're incredible strong and flexible. I love all of their moves.

[@MIWHALKI]

I think you got a bit lazy on your research. There are so many other dances that are harder. There are dances with swords, bamboo poles, spears and cultural dances from many countries you left out. Look at tribal dances from Africa for tight formations that will fail if one person misses a beat.

[@illuminantedits]

I’m surprised that the Kazotsky Kick didn’t make it onto the list because you need really good reaction speed and reflexes to pull that off.

[@jonnarobinson7541]

Tap can be very very difficult. It has to do with the size of the step and the speed of the tap. You must make the movement small so you can tap faster. Tap requires a flexed foot which is the opposite of a pointed foot in ballet.

[@MargaretAliceRA]

Tap requires a *relaxed* foot. Tension is the enemy of speed.

[@19Ter67]

I did ballet when I was younger. I loved doing the fouetté. The more turns I could make was exhilarating. The arabesque was simple to me. En pointe, piece of cake. The straight leg scorpion…VERY DIFFICULT!

[@kerriethompson2073]

Center Stage is such an underrated movie!

[@deltaalphaone1]

Can't believe how good those break dancers are wow!!! 🤩

[@sarawinters1566]

Speaking from personal experience, I have to say; ballet is the most difficult form of dance to master. Not only are you expected to maintain a slim figure, you are also met with the challenge; of effortlessly executing these dance moves in a graceful manner. It takes a tremendous amount of strength, balance, and stamina.

[@melikebatgirl8312]

Yeah, whenever I go to the ballet, which is as often as I possibly can, I am often reminded of figure skating and gymnastics. However even w our local company, for every performance - every individual movement - there are no 'point deductions'. Everything is a perfect 10 out of 10 because in ballet mistakes are simply not allowed, only Perfection. Perfect Beauty and athleticism.

[@无感-g5y]

I did ballet kinda against my will for a couple of years back then, and it WAS ABSOLUTE HELLL FOR MY BODY but hey it was....fun? so not even shocked :')

[@jg244]

Samba roll definitely deserves at least an honorable mention

[@CaylasCapsule]

Yeah, samba rolls are tough. They completely ignored partner dances. I expected to at least see fleckerl, but nope.

[@marie-gi7ns]

Happy to see the one and only Misha performing Giselle 💖💖

[@dariask904]

Love that you referred to Kathryn Morgan, who is such an inspiration in ballet world! And just to echo other users' comments, could you do part 2 with a more varied dance scope pretty please? :)

[@kenken8857]

When there are that many ballett moves here what's completely missing is the plain and "simple" pirouette. Not a single - but with 6+ many professional dancers get sorted out. The problem wigh high multiple is you need to pack a lot of force into a move demanding high precission. You can't fix your axis later in the move. I remember the class where our teacher almost crashed into the mirror after the 4th rotation trying to demostrate them.

[@Rosewolf29]

I'm surprised irish step dance isn't on here. It's pretty tough, but some ballet moves are ridiculously hard.

[@MsRoc]

I took tap and Flamengo when I was younger. I can never get enough! It's wonderful. I can hardly wait til Jehovah's new system when I'll be able to practice and move again so gracefully!

[@Yret1984]

Penché translates more like leaning or leaning forward instead of bending

[@roselover411]

It's always interesting to watch these because I get to see people actually trained and skilled in the relevant thing they're rating tear them apart because from the outside there's really only so much research you can do on your own without talking to experts yourself. And a lot of times things that _look_ hard to someone on the outside may actually be pretty simple to someone who does it themselves.

[@franny3995]

I definitely think all the ballet ones are the hardest as you have to think so much about how you’re turned out, extended etc it’s very precise in ballet as you must get the technique right.

[@ohh_heavy]

Have you seen number one?

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

And they’re often en pointe!!!!

[@YTWX]

@@ohh_heavy Ballet dancers are still stronger and it is the most physically demanding art form.

[@ohh_heavy]

@@YTWX then you have never tried powermoves

[@YTWX]

@@ohh_heavy Male ballet dancers are still stronger than you.

[@nivieb9]

They’re all so tough, all top notch 👌🏼👌🏼

[@avasgranb1]

The “grande jete” you showed were, in some examples , a sauté de chat.

[@juliemills9222]

I was looking for this comment 👏

[@Guadalupefan]

I love how they cite “American ballet”, but it’s nonetheless BARYSHNIKOV dancing Giselle, lol

[@emilytuckwell6656]

Maybe this is me but I find adage so much more difficult then doing grand jeté!

[@laramilenkaarandamallea6006]

SAME its so hard and for what ??

[@alimiyaoka608]

Same with the cabriole. I remember it being much harder to perfect than the grande jete...

[@emilytuckwell6656]

@@alimiyaoka608 yes without a doubt!

[@MarinaBonadio]

SAME!! Grand jeté to me is really not as hard as all the others

[@emilytuckwell6656]

@@MarinaBonadio feels! One of the few things that I look forward too when I hop off barre.

[@nancywysemen7196]

amazing stuff. almost a headache watching head stands.....beautiful descriptive examples.