When he lands, it acts as a shock absorber and prevents the back suffering from the impact which could result in an injury. Thus, the knees are bent when performing the demi-pliés, but once the dancer jumps into the air, he straightens his knees and he cross his legs in the manner laid down for each muriska or leap, while keeping his knees straight. Given that he starts with his legs in the initial position, they remain in the open position as the leap is being performed. In order to jump vertically upwards, the dancer straightens his knees, raises his heels from the floor and pushes himself up with the tips of his feet. Thus, the tips of his feet are already pointing towards the floor even before the dancer jumps up into the air The leaps are not supposed to be very high and the dancer is supposed to perform a short jump and cross his legs as quickly as possible. The leg crosses are performed at great speed even if the leap is not too high off the ground. | | |