I didn’t know the first way was considered the same thing. My beginner class taught the flexed/brush the floor method but the explanation for both made sense.
European frappe: right foot sur les cou de pied in full flex, with the sole muscles fully extended from heel to toes mimicking the demi plie position. Just before the jump.Knee and hip joints are already bent,knee open, ready for the jump.execution: working foot touches the striking it with the ball of foot, as it leaves the floor, not too high, the toes extend, ball of the lrish pull up,as well as the knee cap.
Russian frappe: working foot front,sur les cou de pied, toes pointed. Execution:leg extend sharply, foot still pointed, then return to sur les cou de pied position, like a ballone in reverse! So far there's no any kind of striking, whatsoever,all is done in the air! I wonder,why is it called "frappe"? Is there any anatomical explanation,or logical, for that matter,or the purpose it might service? As as I'm concerned I find none, that convinces me!
