A push-pull pair of output transistors provides trace current to a vertical deflection winding. A retrace capacitor forms a resonant retrace circuit with the deflection winding to develop a resonant retrace current in the deflection winding. A damping circuit coupled to the deflection winding damps unwanted oscillations of the trace current. A diode disconnect functions to prevent the resonant retrace current from flowing in both the output stage and in the damping circuit, thereby reducing undesirable dissipation in the vertical deflection circuit.