Your Dead Stroke Trigger

victorl

victorl

Where'd my stroke go?
Silver Member
Anyone whose played for any length of time has experienced being in "dead stroke", and there are lots of theories on what it is and how to get there, but it's still shrouded in mystery.

It's hard to explain, but for me, when I usually play, I try to make an image of the shot and see the object split the pocket, but sometimes no matter what I do, I can't seem to create an adequate image. Other times, I'll be able to see shots and patterns clear as day and that's when I know I'm in dead stroke. But I'm not really sure if that's my trigger, or if being able to see the images is just a byproduct of being in dead stroke.

Anyway, I'm looking for opinions on what you all think triggers your "dead stroke" or also if you have had any similar experiences in other sports, I'd love to hear it as well.

Vic
 
I'll bite.

:)Without knowing how you aim, this is difficult to answer. Do you see the angle created by a line from the pocket/target + the line from the CB to the OB and relate that to where you aim?

For me, I take several practice shots like straight in, CTE (<30 degrees) and thin edge to edge to make sure that my stroke is on line.

Then, I apply English to these practice shots to see what effect the cloth has on the resulting angle...how much change is effected...slide/swerve?

Then I try different speeds to know how much to apply...fast and slow cloth.

If I remember these, then I can apply them to the way that I aim to get the desired results...this takes time as the infinite number of shots appear as I run through the rack.

The shot/s making should get better and better. When I hit my peak and then it starts to fall off, it is usually my stroke, or the way I perceive my stroke line, or fatigue.

Success feeds on success until the remembering and application occurs rapidly yielding "dead stroke".

Good topic and few takers or I misunderstand your question.
 
Thanks for the answer. I agree that there is a definite peak and it's hard to get back into stroke once you start to fall off for whatever reason.

I didn't really have a question, I just wanted to hear about what helps other players get into that elusive dead stroke and hopefully get some ideas to try out.
 
victorl said:
Anyone whose played for any length of time has experienced being in "dead stroke", and there are lots of theories on what it is and how to get there, but it's still shrouded in mystery.

It's hard to explain, but for me, when I usually play, I try to make an image of the shot and see the object split the pocket, but sometimes no matter what I do, I can't seem to create an adequate image. Other times, I'll be able to see shots and patterns clear as day and that's when I know I'm in dead stroke. But I'm not really sure if that's my trigger, or if being able to see the images is just a byproduct of being in dead stroke.

Anyway, I'm looking for opinions on what you all think triggers your "dead stroke" or also if you have had any similar experiences in other sports, I'd love to hear it as well.

Vic
Click to expand...

Dead stroke, means all check list items are being applied correctly for each shot, your state of mind is at its optimum. Few check list items tend to be forgotten the most on execution, 1-follow through which guarantees no head movement , 2- check cue level, 3-perfect contact point/focus on hard cuts, tip placement, and last one IMO proper CB speed for each shot with proper aiming offset, other check lists usually are less influential unless the player is way out of line on the shot. A good player should know what each of the above check list does to ball pocketing, so they correct for it on next shot.

Another reason for dead stroke, is the balls are spread such that the pattern does not require any extra effort to pocket them, natural position for each shot.
 
I don't think it has much to do with the balls, aiming lines, or whatever's happening on the table.
It's more about your brain being unusually good at blocking out distractions for a short time.
This allows you focus on playing only with no other concerns.

It's combined with a state of confidence that allows you to step aside and let your subconscious
do perfect shotmaking, speed, and spin. The subconscious is awesome at this stuff
but the conscious mind wants to step in and control everything anyway. When you're feeling
very confident and even a little cocky, you stop trying to control every ball because
you already know it's in the hole so you don't need to fret over it.

I shoot best when there's not a ton of noise and distraction and people I have to avoid, when I can
do many shots in a row without having to stand up and wait for someone else to shoot or walk by.
And if I hear some quiet comments in the crowd like "I can't beat this guy" or something else
that might pump up the ego, I tend to feel very loose and confident and speed up a little.
I shoot like it's all too easy.

I can't say for sure that's how it works for everyone, but you might try just thinking
like a cocky sonovabitсh and doing your best to ignore everything around you.
 
LAMas said:
:)Without knowing how you aim, this is difficult to answer. Do you see the angle created by a line from the pocket/target + the line from the CB to the OB and relate that to where you aim?

For me, I take several practice shots like straight in, CTE (<30 degrees) and thin edge to edge to make sure that my stroke is on line.

Then, I apply English to these practice shots to see what effect the cloth has on the resulting angle...how much change is effected...slide/swerve?

Then I try different speeds to know how much to apply...fast and slow cloth.

If I remember these, then I can apply them to the way that I aim to get the desired results...this takes time as the infinite number of shots appear as I run through the rack.

The shot/s making should get better and better. When I hit my peak and then it starts to fall off, it is usually my stroke, or the way I perceive my stroke line, or fatigue.

Success feeds on success until the remembering and application occurs rapidly yielding "dead stroke".

Good topic and few takers or I misunderstand your question.
Click to expand...

My god isn't there a forum about these aiming systems?
 
See Legend of Bager Vance for the answer, IMO

Dead Stroke = Learning to stop thinking, with out falling asleep. Your body and eyes know what to do, just get your mind out of the way.
 
jhanso18 said:
See Legend of Bager Vance for the answer, IMO

Dead Stroke = Learning to stop thinking, with out falling asleep. Your body and eyes know what to do, just get your mind out of the way.
Click to expand...

Without ever seeing the movie I'd have to agree. Its about blinders. A shot and a leave on the next ball that you have seen a million times should be made. Your mind will miss that shot. That is what works for me.
 
LAMas said:
:)Without knowing how you aim, this is difficult to answer. Do you see the angle created by a line from the pocket/target + the line from the CB to the OB and relate that to where you aim?

For me, I take several practice shots like straight in, CTE (<30 degrees) and thin edge to edge to make sure that my stroke is on line.

Then, I apply English to these practice shots to see what effect the cloth has on the resulting angle...how much change is effected...slide/swerve?

Then I try different speeds to know how much to apply...fast and slow cloth.

If I remember these, then I can apply them to the way that I aim to get the desired results...this takes time as the infinite number of shots appear as I run through the rack.

The shot/s making should get better and better. When I hit my peak and then it starts to fall off, it is usually my stroke, or the way I perceive my stroke line, or fatigue.

Success feeds on success until the remembering and application occurs rapidly yielding "dead stroke".

Good topic and few takers or I misunderstand your question.
Click to expand...



So I can safely assume that you have never been in dead stroke then??
 
When I was in dead stroke I concentrated more on applying english then aiming.
just the opposite when i was not in dead stroke.
 
Lots of different opinions here, which is great. Some may experience it differently, but I tend to side with the idea of dead stroke being in an automatic, non-thinking almost meditative state. When it does happen, I feel like my mind is on autopilot and I'm just along for the ride.

Getting there might just be a matter of trusting yourself enough to let go. I very rarely experience it in a tournament/pressure situation though, but if someone had the mental ability to turn it on/off at will they would be unstoppable.

So how often do you think pros fall into dead stroke during a match and is it the same thing as 'catching a gear'? It's hard to tell because they're so damn good, but I think a match like the 97 US Open finals where Earl dominated was freewheeling and one-stroking everything in sight is a prime example. Anyone have any recommendations of videos of a pro in absolute dead stroke?
 
It's certainly easy enough to describe the feeling you have when you're there, in stroke, as you say, but damned hard to express how you got there. It's one of those phemonima,,,phemomina...situations that is seldom heard and less often seen.
In any case, I really like the UltraSkin soft. :smile:
 
When I'm in Dead Stroke I forget the score of the match. I forget that I'm running out. I've had people tell me after the fact that I just ran out, then broke and ran all without realizing it. I was just pocketing balls one at a time.

So somehow its about letting go and just being completely in the moment of an individual shot. I also sing a lot and have had many instances where a song running through my head cancels out all the noise so I can just play - but it has to just happen. If I try to force a song in then sometimes it helps but it won't get me to full dead stroke unless it just happens on its own.

Craig
 
I'd say Creedo And Fisherman are both on the right track. "The Inner Game of Tennis" is a TERRIFIC pool book if you skip chapter 5. GF
 
CreeDo said:
I don't think it has much to do with the balls, aiming lines, or whatever's happening on the table.
It's more about your brain being unusually good at blocking out distractions for a short time.
This allows you focus on playing only with no other concerns.

It's combined with a state of confidence that allows you to step aside and let your subconscious
do perfect shotmaking, speed, and spin. The subconscious is awesome at this stuff
but the conscious mind wants to step in and control everything anyway. When you're feeling
very confident and even a little cocky, you stop trying to control every ball because
you already know it's in the hole so you don't need to fret over it.

I shoot best when there's not a ton of noise and distraction and people I have to avoid, when I can
do many shots in a row without having to stand up and wait for someone else to shoot or walk by.
And if I hear some quiet comments in the crowd like "I can't beat this guy" or something else
that might pump up the ego, I tend to feel very loose and confident and speed up a little.
I shoot like it's all too easy.

I can't say for sure that's how it works for everyone, but you might try just thinking
like a cocky sonovabitсh and doing your best to ignore everything around you.
Click to expand...

I like your insight...the above is how I view things as well..Last night I had a dead stroke..miss cue after miss cue..lol. My ego was quite frustrated with me..my partner aswell..I think Irritations wear on my game ; then I'm stuck for a shot or two..use to be for a few racks..gald thou days are behind me. Just wanted to say I liked what you said..
 
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