Skip to content

Pas de Bourree: How to Do the Step, Count and Common Mistakes

Get ready to master the Pas de Bourree, a classic beginner move you will see often in both ballet and jazz dance routines. This graceful sequence consists of three quick, small steps taken in a behind, side, front pattern. It is a great linking step to help you shift your weight and change directions smoothly on the dance floor.

Step card

Count
and-1-and (or 1-and-2)
Level
Beginner
Found in
Ballet, Jazz Dance
In short
Three small steps: behind, side, front

The timing

step (weight change) touch, kick or sound hold

How to do it

  1. Stand tall with your feet together to prepare for the movement.
  2. On count 1, cross your right foot behind your left foot and shift your weight onto it.
  3. On the 'and' count, step your left foot out to the side, transferring your weight.
  4. On count 2, step your right foot to the front, shifting your weight forward.
  5. Hold your position briefly before starting your next move.

Tips

  • Keep your steps small and stay on the balls of your feet for a lighter, quicker feel.
  • Maintain a strong, upright posture with your chest lifted and shoulders relaxed.
  • Bend your knees slightly on the final front step to ground your movement and prepare for the next beat.

Common mistakes

  • Taking steps that are too wide. Keep your feet directly under your body so you can move quickly and stay on the beat.
  • Forgetting the weight change. Make sure you fully transfer your weight onto the new foot with every single step.
  • Looking down at your feet. Keep your chin up and your eyes forward to maintain proper balance and posture.

Variations and practice

  • Practice a jazz pas de bourree by keeping your knees bent and staying low to the ground.
  • Try counting the step as 'and-1-and' instead of '1-and-2' to match different musical rhythms.
  • Focus on the behind, side, front pattern to build muscle memory for this beginner step.

Related steps

When to check in with a doctor or physical therapist

  • Pain in a knee, ankle or hip that sharpens when you turn, pivot or land
  • Dizziness, chest discomfort or unusual shortness of breath
  • Pain that is still there the next day or keeps coming back after practice

General information, not medical advice. If you have a heart, joint or balance condition, are pregnant or are returning after an injury, check with your doctor or physical therapist before starting a new dance workout.

How this page was made. Step data (count, timing pattern, level, styles) compiled by the Rhythm Desk from common teaching practice; counts can differ between teachers. Text drafted with AI assistance and checked by the Rhythm Desk; see how we write. Last checked October 2026.