Spotting during dance pirouettes

In dance, rotations around the longitudinal axis are frequently performed. Ballet rotations, such as pirouettes or fouettés, require a high number of consecutive revolutions performed to perfection. In such rotations, dancers utilize a typical gaze strategy known as "spotting"; wherein dancers anchor their gaze to the audience before rapidly rotating the head to overtake the rest of the body in each revolution (see video). However, it is still unclear why ballet dancers employ this technique. In a series of studies aiming to uncover the functionality of spotting, we first collected expert opinions on the topic with a Delphi Method survey (Haber & Schärli, 2021). We then conducted an exploratory study with professional ballet dancers investigating balance, orientation, and spotting behavior during multiple rotations (Schärli et al., 2022). Furthermore, we examined whether employing the complex spotting technique supports or hinders the learning of a pirouette (Klostermann et al., 2020). Additionally, in our rotating chair study (Schärli et al., 2024), we investigated whether passive (on a rotating chair) and active spinning (pirouettes) with and without spotting affect the sensation of dizziness and balance after the rotations.

Selected Publications:

Haber, C. & Schärli, A. (2021). Defining spotting in dance: A delphi method study evaluating expert opinions. Frontiers in Psychology, 12:540396. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.540396

Klostermann, A., Schärli, A., Kunz, S., Weber, M. & Hossner, E.-J. (2022). Learn to turn: Does spotting foster skill acquisition in pirouettes? Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 93(1), 153–161. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2020.1813239

Schärli, A., Haber, C., & Klostermann, A. (2023). Does a visual reference help ballet dancers turn more successfully? Human Movement Science.  April:88:103062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2023.103062

Schärli, A., Hecht, H., Mast, F., & Hossner, E.-J. (2024). How spotting technique affects dizziness and postural stability after full body rotations in dancers. Human Movement Science. June:95: 103211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2024.103211

Contact:

Andrea Schärli