Last night during practice, I went into deadstroke.I would throw at 7,8 or nine balls, take ball in hand and proceed to run them out time and time again.The balls were all set up wide open,well spread with no clusters to negiotiate.
My shape/speed control was really excellent, however, when I drifted off line I seemingly recovered very quickly with a good pot.I rarely missed and made what seemed to be at least 95% of my pots.I was using all kinds of spins and shape routes.My pace was much faster than normal, approaching Tony Drago like speed as my desicions where quick and concise.
My cue was very light in my hand and my sense of feel,focus, concentration and relaxation were at their peak of effeciency. I paid no real attention to mechanics, a pre shot routine or any sort of planning.If I did plan it was at lightning speed.I just got down and shot(perhaps 1 or 2 prcatice strokes) and shot very quickly.It was like I was in some sort of hypnotic trance.
I was obviously playing out of the subconcious side of the brain as my analytical conscious side of the brain seemingly took the evening off.I shot like this for two hours straight and didn't want to stop as I was enjoying this rare moment of orgasmic pool to it's fullest.
Locally I'm considered a mediocre to low level A Player and I ussually perform much better in practice in general, however, not this good.Last night I played as good as any shortstop and some of my runouts resembled pro level.In competition at times I can run the occasional table, however, at times I can struggle to make 4 or 5 balls. My general play can be cluttered with annxiety,tightness,mechanical overload and nervousness, although I've improved immensley in the last little while.When a good portion of my game does show up, I can give people some problems.
Some Obsevations:
I've spent hours and hours of practice setting up Bob Henning's (Author of the Pro Book) "Sweet Sixteen" shots and all their varaitions.I've done Kinisters Star Patterns and and countless other drills.I've practiced really hard and it quite obvious from last night that my subconcsious mind (My computer)knows and has stored the shots.My practice has not been a waste of time.
By playing a faster pace, I give my subconcious mind the freedom to play and don't give my concsious mind the chance to sabatogue the whole process with analytical mechanical overload.The problem with this pace is, however, that some shots that need more attention are rushed and subsquently missed.
My stroke was much different that my normal stroke under pressure. So much more lighter and smoother than normal.I was stroking the ball and not jabbing at it as can happen under pressure.
I've experienced this phenominum of Deadstoke on a 1/2 dozen occasions and I realize what my upside potential is when everything is going perfect.
In closing:
How does one get into Deadsroke or close to it in competition?
Have you ever experienced Deadstroke?
Are you a mechanical player , or have you found that mechanical overload has hampered your game?
Other comments/observations welcome and appreciated.
RJ
ps.For those that know me personally, I swear that all the above is the Gospel truth.
My shape/speed control was really excellent, however, when I drifted off line I seemingly recovered very quickly with a good pot.I rarely missed and made what seemed to be at least 95% of my pots.I was using all kinds of spins and shape routes.My pace was much faster than normal, approaching Tony Drago like speed as my desicions where quick and concise.
My cue was very light in my hand and my sense of feel,focus, concentration and relaxation were at their peak of effeciency. I paid no real attention to mechanics, a pre shot routine or any sort of planning.If I did plan it was at lightning speed.I just got down and shot(perhaps 1 or 2 prcatice strokes) and shot very quickly.It was like I was in some sort of hypnotic trance.
I was obviously playing out of the subconcious side of the brain as my analytical conscious side of the brain seemingly took the evening off.I shot like this for two hours straight and didn't want to stop as I was enjoying this rare moment of orgasmic pool to it's fullest.
Locally I'm considered a mediocre to low level A Player and I ussually perform much better in practice in general, however, not this good.Last night I played as good as any shortstop and some of my runouts resembled pro level.In competition at times I can run the occasional table, however, at times I can struggle to make 4 or 5 balls. My general play can be cluttered with annxiety,tightness,mechanical overload and nervousness, although I've improved immensley in the last little while.When a good portion of my game does show up, I can give people some problems.
Some Obsevations:
I've spent hours and hours of practice setting up Bob Henning's (Author of the Pro Book) "Sweet Sixteen" shots and all their varaitions.I've done Kinisters Star Patterns and and countless other drills.I've practiced really hard and it quite obvious from last night that my subconcsious mind (My computer)knows and has stored the shots.My practice has not been a waste of time.
By playing a faster pace, I give my subconcious mind the freedom to play and don't give my concsious mind the chance to sabatogue the whole process with analytical mechanical overload.The problem with this pace is, however, that some shots that need more attention are rushed and subsquently missed.
My stroke was much different that my normal stroke under pressure. So much more lighter and smoother than normal.I was stroking the ball and not jabbing at it as can happen under pressure.
I've experienced this phenominum of Deadstoke on a 1/2 dozen occasions and I realize what my upside potential is when everything is going perfect.
In closing:
How does one get into Deadsroke or close to it in competition?
Have you ever experienced Deadstroke?
Are you a mechanical player , or have you found that mechanical overload has hampered your game?
Other comments/observations welcome and appreciated.
RJ
ps.For those that know me personally, I swear that all the above is the Gospel truth.
