You Have Only One Thought...What?

[drivermaker]

I think everyone would agree that when you're in deadstroke and just making everything, you're on auto-pilot or cruise control. It's playing with absence of thought, although you really don't but it sure seems that way.

On the other hand, a couple of threads are going on now about "A hitch in my stroke" or "The Stroke (a debate)" and there's ALWAYS controversy when something comes up about aiming or aiming systems.

There are hundreds of things that can go rolling through your mind as you're setting up to shoot...so after assessing the table layout for the next few balls and the speed you'll need to get there or the spin (we won't count this part in the process), if you had only ONE thought to focus on when setting up to the ball, what WOULD it be? What is the MOST important focal point? Or, what WOULDN'T or SHOULDN'T it be?

I surely know for myself that it wouldn't be about some f*#ked up hitch.

Would you think about some part of the stroke? Elbow dropping? Grip pressure? Warm up strokes? Pausing at the end? Follow through? Tempo? Length of stroke? A level upper arm and maintaining it? Staying down? Touching the cloth with your tip? etc., etc.

Right now, I am in deadstroke and I felt like I was playing without thought. But I guess I do. And it DOES have to do with aiming and setting up properly to the shot. THAT'S IT! Nothing else matters...The only thing I see is the shot...the overlap of the CB to OB and pull the trigger. To me, it's the ONLY thing you have to go on. If you get that wrong...it's over.

All of the other stuff is being automatically processed when looking over the table and there's NOTHING with stroke or the rest of it.

So...what's your one thought only?

 

[Egg McDogit]

So...what's your one thought only?

mine would be...FEAR

 

[Black-Balled]

Must..Crush...!!!

 

[RSB-Refugee]

I think everyone would agree that when you're in deadstroke and just making everything, you're on auto-pilot or cruise control. It's playing with absence of thought, although you really don't but it sure seems that way.
...
So...what's your one thought only?

"I can do no wrong". When in the zone, that's about it. It is just a good, happy, confident feeling. I equate it to an addict's 'high', it is these moments of being in the zone, that keep me coming back to the table. You are right DM, a negative thought has never helped a ball into a pocket, I know because, I have been in that zone too. That's the zone, you don't want to go to.

Tracy

 

[jhendri2]

I'm not sure if I have any conscience thought while down on the shot. Prior to of course I think of the proper english to get on the next ball in the pocket I want to shoot it in.

In rifle shooting, they call it the the bubble. You don't hear or think about anything, just perform.

FWIW,

Jim

 

[drivermaker]

In rifle shooting, they call it the the bubble. You don't hear or think about anything, just perform.

Jim

So in rifle shooting, wouldn't the one and only thing you'd really be doing is to line up the rear and front sight to the bullseye?

 

[hustlefinger]

So...what's your one thought only?

I try to think about my breathing. You know, ……………what type of shot is this, an inhale or exhale.

Rick

 

[drivermaker]

I try to think about my breathing. You know, ……………what type of shot is this, or exhale.

Rick

Where's the exhale coming from? Are you saying you play intentional "shit shots"?

 

[Sweet Marissa]

I try to think about my breathing. You know, ……………what type of shot is this, an inhale or exhale.

Rick

I do the same thing. I notice my breathing slows, kind of like a meditation, and as I exhale, I shoot.

 

[BazookaJoe]

Did I remember to unplug the iron?

 

[vapoolplayer]

all i think about is aim.

the way i aim gives me a specific spot on the ball to look. i just get down, check and check my aim. if its correct, i forget about that and everything else and just stroke the ball.

i like this routine because its the SAME EVERY TIME i'm at the table EVERY DAY.

therefore it makes it much easier to get into dead punch.

people don't realize that a pre-shot routine isn't just physical, its mental.

if you have the same mental pre-shot routine, you'll find yourself getting in stroke much much quicker, almost on a daily basis.

VAP

 

[hustlefinger]

Where's the exhale coming from? Are you saying you play intentional "shit shots"?

There you go talking about shit again, haven’t you discussed it enough already.

Getting back to the original discussion – I do agree with what you say about autopilot. Mechanics and fundamentals should always be this way. However, a certain level of consciousness must be given to the shot. Whether that’s envisioning the shot beforehand or observing every detail during it. One of the things I like focusing on, when in stroke, is what the OB actually does during a shot. Like sliding and then rolling and then listening to it hit the back of the pocket.

Oooooooooh, …….the magic of round balls in motion.

Rick

 

[drivermaker]

There you go talking about shit again, haven’t you discussed it enough already.

Rick

I have been far too exposed to the sins of mankind and have fallen prey.


Job 27:4
"My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceipt".

Job 27:3
"All the while my breath [is] in me, and the spirit of God [is] in my nostrils".

Psalm 150:6
"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD".

1Corinthinians:9-10:
Do you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.

 

[drivermaker]

There are hundreds of things that can go rolling through your mind as you're setting up to shoot...so after assessing the table layout for the next few balls and the speed you'll need to get there or the spin (we won't count this part in the process), if you had only ONE thought to focus on when setting up to the ball, what WOULD it be? What is the MOST important focal point? Or, what WOULDN'T or SHOULDN'T it be?

Whitewolf, whitewolf, whitewolf...you're letting your tongue outrace your eyes and brain.

READING COMPREHENSION 101:
Reread the above paragraph in my opening post regarding speed....tsk, tsk, tsk...such a seemingly young feller to be going senile already.

 

[jhendri2]

So in rifle shooting, wouldn't the one and only thing you'd really be doing is to line up the rear and front sight to the bullseye?

There is no front or rear site, only crosshairs, but I get your point. Maybe it's that I just don't remember thinking of anything.

I can tell you what I think about when I'm not at the table

Jim <--Who's Marissa flirting with now <--I wonder what kind of shit DM is stirring up on AZ <-- I wonder what new cue Shorty got this week <--Who's Marissa flirting with now <--I wonder if Duke's complaining about a cue seller or buyer <-- Who's Marissa flirting with now --> "Oh it's my shot? Cool"


Of course this is all meant in fun

Jim

 

[Get_A_Grip]

More than deadstroke

When I'm in deadstroke when practicing...I know it because I'm running a few racks in a row without really thinking about anything but the contact point and where I want the cue ball to end up (I'm not sure that I really even consciously think about the english or speed of the shot--it seems like I just know what needs to be done without thinking about it)...

But the funny thing is what I do when I am getting ready to quit shooting..."the more than deadstroke". I purposely shoot harder and harder shots--banks--extreme english shots...and they all go in! Of course, eventually the "deadstroke luck" wears out and I will miss. But sometimes it will be only after shooting like 5 to 10 absolutely crazy shots that all go in.

Does anyone else do this before they quit...for kicks? It's "more than deadstroke" because I'm not even setting up using my normal pre-shot routine--I'm just sliding around the table shooting freely...it's quite an amazing experience...and really makes me think sometimes about our latent potential...

 

[drivermaker]

I am just questioning what you claim to be thinking

WW

That almost borders on Bill Clinton stating, "That depends on what your definition of "is", is".

That's too philosophical and complicated for my pea brain.

 

[Mr. J]

Priceless Information...Finally revealed!!!

When you are in "Dead Stroke", "Dead Punch", "Stroke", all is automatic or on automatic. Stance, grip, balance, proper english, aim, breathing, confidence, bridge hand, preshot routine, and shot envisioned. They are all taken care of and nothing to be concerned about in any way. The Only Thing that you will think about when in "Dead Stroke" is how hard you are about to hit that Cue Ball...and of coarse this equates to "Speed"...

Have fun all...

Mr. J.

 

[vapoolplayer]

The Only Thing that you will think about when in "Dead Stroke" is how hard you are about to hit that Cue Ball...and of coarse this equates to "Speed"...

Have fun all...

Mr. J.

i personally don't even consciouly think of that.

VAP

 

[Purdman]

Drivermaker, I think you are leaving out something here. Yourself being a golfer I presume know that on a long put YOU MUST BE VISUALIZING THE SPEED OF THE BALL BEFORE YOU PUTT. I could be wrong here, but I think not. I used to be a very good putter BTW.

I have only been in deadstroke a only few times in billiards, but I can tell you that I was visualizing the speed of the shot and that this is all I was concentrating on. It's just like you were telling the other 'stupid poster' that he must be using an aiming system, rather he realized it or not. Nah, the impervious DM has not put his big foot in his mouth My contention is that you were at least subconciously thinking about the speed, to borrow some of your phrases

DM, didn't mean to pick on you, I just couldn't resist however.

WW

Randyg told me to see it, hear it, and feel it, then do it.
Purdman