A shaft control mechanism for controlling a shaft of a weaving machine according to a pattern includes a connecting rod operatively connected to the shaft, a drive element intermittently rotating and standing still in a dead center position, an eccentric disc rotatably supported on the connecting rod, a coupling element connected to the eccentric disc, a device for moving the coupling element into a recess formed in the drive element interconnecting the drive element and the eccentric disc in a coupled position, a controllable locking element securing the coupling element against movement out of said recess into an uncoupled position until the drive element reaches the dead center position along with the eccentric disc, and at least one control element transmitting an external force to the coupling element according to the pattern, required to move the coupling element into the uncoupled position while the drive element and the eccentric disc are rotating.