diff --git a/config.js b/config.js
index 5e63fd3..c71b01a 100644
--- a/config.js
+++ b/config.js
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ export const TUNE = {
   zMax: 6,          // shamblers on court at once
   zSplatQ: 0.5,     // min shot quality to splatter; below = stagger pushback
   zPushback: 1.4,   // m a staggered zombie is knocked back
+  splatterOverT: 0.1, // s the spent-ball 'over' beat lasts before the next serve is armed
   missHud: 1,       // show the last miss reason on screen (full log: T.G.missLog)
 };
 
diff --git a/gameplay.js b/gameplay.js
index 89917cb..948798d 100644
--- a/gameplay.js
+++ b/gameplay.js
@@ -354,6 +354,9 @@ function trySwing(ch, isAI) {
 export function keyPressed(code) {
   if (code !== 'Space') return;
   audio(); // unlock on first gesture
+  // splatter: a tap/flick during the brief 'over' beat arms the next serve immediately —
+  // reset inline, then fall through to pretoss so the finger is the only cadence limit
+  if (G.mode === 'splatter' && G.phase === 'over') { ball.active = false; setupPoint(); }
   if (G.phase === 'pretoss' && score.server === 'P') {
     if (G.mode === 'splatter') {
       const flick = takeFlickAim();
@@ -505,11 +508,20 @@ export function update(dt) {
       if (ball.active && Math.abs(ball.vy) < 0.8) { // rolled out — dead ball
         ball.active = false;
         if (G.mode === 'splatter') { // hand the server a fresh one, fast — they're coming
-          G.phase = 'over'; G.overT = 0.25; sendBoy();
+          G.phase = 'over'; G.overT = TUNE.splatterOverT; sendBoy();
           if (Math.random() < 0.12) voice('new_balls', 0.3);
         } else if (ball.bounces === 1) pointTo(ball.lastHit, null);
       }
     }
+    // splatter: retire spent or hopeless balls fast so the next serve comes right up.
+    // z-bounds gate on travel direction — a serve born behind the baseline (P.z up to 26)
+    // heads to the far court (vz<0), so it must not read as "out the back" on frame one.
+    if (G.mode === 'splatter' && ball.active &&
+        ((ball.lastHit === 'X' && ball.bounces >= 1)
+         || (ball.z < -2 && ball.vz < 0) || (ball.z > 25.5 && ball.vz > 0)
+         || Math.abs(ball.x) > 7.5)) {
+      ball.active = false; G.phase = 'over'; G.overT = TUNE.splatterOverT;
+    }
     if (G.phase === 'toss' && ball.y <= 1.4 && ball.vy < 0) { // uncaught toss → retoss
       ball.active = false; G.phase = 'pretoss';
       if (score.server === 'O') G.aiServeT = 0.8;