diff --git a/gameplay.js b/gameplay.js
index 880e638..97a2b93 100644
--- a/gameplay.js
+++ b/gameplay.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export function predictLanding() { // first-bounce point, closed form — exact,
 // splatter FREE-AIM: the flick vector maps to a landing point from where you stand — a short
 // flick drops it close, a long one reaches the far baseline. A zombie within zSnap of that
 // point magnets the shot (with walk-lead); otherwise the ball lands exactly where you flicked.
-function flickTarget(ch, aim) {
+export function flickTarget(ch, aim) { // exported: render draws the live reticle with it
   const R = Math.min(1, Math.max(0.12, aim.mag / 160)) * 22; // px flick length -> meters of reach
   const tx = Math.max(-6.5, Math.min(6.5, ch.x + aim.fx * R));
   const tz = Math.max(1, Math.min(24.5, ch.z + aim.fy * R)); // screen up = up-court (-z)
@@ -513,6 +513,16 @@ function racketAI(rz, dt) {
   }
 }
 
+// release of the two-stage aim: an instant serve to the reticle (quality fixed — placement
+// is this serve's power; the toss ritual keeps the PERFECT-timing power ceiling)
+export function dragServe(aim) {
+  if (G.mode !== 'splatter' || G.phase !== 'pretoss' || score.server !== 'P') return;
+  if (G.horde || G.mgT > 0 || G.changeover) return;
+  ball.active = true; ball.collected = false; ball.bounces = 0; ball.firstLand = null;
+  ball.x = P.x + 0.35; ball.z = P.z; ball.y = 2.2; ball.g = TUNE.gravity;
+  hitServe(P, 0.62, aim);
+}
+
 export function keyPressed(code) {
   if (code !== 'Space') return;
   audio(); // unlock on first gesture
diff --git a/input.js b/input.js
index 9536e00..4b1b3ee 100644
--- a/input.js
+++ b/input.js
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@
 
 import { cv } from './dom.js';
 import { audio } from './audio.js';
-import { keyPressed } from './gameplay.js';
+import { G, score } from './state.js';
+import { keyPressed, dragServe } from './gameplay.js';
 import { togglePanel } from './panel.js';
 
 const keys = {};
@@ -36,10 +37,17 @@ export function takeFlickAim(maxAgeMs = 450) {
   return null;
 }
 
+// the two-stage serve: a drag that STARTS at a serveable pretoss aims a visible reticle
+// (G.aim, drawn by render); release fires the serve there, dragging back home cancels.
+const canAimServe = () =>
+  G.mode === 'splatter' && G.phase === 'pretoss' && score.server === 'P'
+  && !G.horde && !(G.mgT > 0) && !G.changeover;
+
 cv.addEventListener('touchstart', e => {
   e.preventDefault(); audio();
   for (const t of e.changedTouches) {
-    if (!stick) stick = { id: t.identifier, x0: t.clientX, y0: t.clientY, t0: performance.now(), moved: false };
+    if (!stick) stick = { id: t.identifier, x0: t.clientX, y0: t.clientY, t0: performance.now(),
+                          moved: false, aimable: canAimServe() }; // context locked at touch start — a movement drag never morphs into a serve
     else keyPressed('Space');
   }
 }, { passive: false });
@@ -49,8 +57,12 @@ cv.addEventListener('touchmove', e => {
   if (!stick) return;
   for (const t of e.changedTouches) {
     if (t.identifier !== stick.id) continue;
-    const dx = t.clientX - stick.x0, dy = t.clientY - stick.y0;
-    if (Math.hypot(dx, dy) > DEAD) stick.moved = true;
+    const dx = t.clientX - stick.x0, dy = t.clientY - stick.y0, dist = Math.hypot(dx, dy);
+    if (dist > DEAD) stick.moved = true;
+    if (stick.aimable) { // aiming, not steering: the reticle tracks the thumb
+      G.aim = dist > DEAD ? { fx: dx / dist, fy: dy / dist, mag: dist } : null;
+      continue;
+    }
     touchAxis.x = Math.abs(dx) > DEAD ? Math.sign(dx) : 0;
     touchAxis.z = Math.abs(dy) > DEAD ? Math.sign(dy) : 0;
   }
@@ -62,7 +74,12 @@ const endTouch = e => {
     if (!stick || t.identifier !== stick.id) continue;
     const dt = performance.now() - stick.t0;
     const dx = t.clientX - stick.x0, dy = t.clientY - stick.y0, dist = Math.hypot(dx, dy);
-    if (!stick.moved && dt < 250) keyPressed('Space');                     // tap
+    if (stick.aimable && stick.moved) {                                    // two-stage release
+      const aim = G.aim; G.aim = null;
+      if (aim && dist > DEAD * 1.5) dragServe(aim);                        // on target — serve
+      // else: dragged back home — cancel, the tin stays in stock
+    }
+    else if (!stick.moved && dt < 250) keyPressed('Space');                // tap
     else if (dt < 300 && dist > 28) {                                      // flick = aimed swing
       flickAim = { ax: Math.abs(dx) > dist * 0.38 ? Math.sign(dx) : 0,
                    az: Math.abs(dy) > dist * 0.38 ? Math.sign(dy) : 0,
diff --git a/render.js b/render.js
index 0a97f6e..fdc7bdb 100644
--- a/render.js
+++ b/render.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import { cv, ctx } from './dom.js';
 import { TUNE, COURT, PLAYER_H, BOY_H, UMP_H, BOUNCE_IDLE, SPRITE_H } from './config.js';
 import { P, O, ball, score, crowd, G } from './state.js';
-import { predictLanding } from './gameplay.js';
+import { predictLanding, flickTarget } from './gameplay.js';
 import { zombies, gore, piles, parts, pellets, extras } from './zombies.js';
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------- palette ----
@@ -295,6 +295,15 @@ export function render() {
     if (l) drawRing(l.x, l.z, 'rgba(255,255,255,0.85)');
   }
   if (G.outMarker) drawRing(G.outMarker.x, G.outMarker.z, G.outMarker.out ? '#ff5050' : '#f8e048');
+  // two-stage serve aim: the reticle tracks the thumb; red = the magnet has a zombie locked
+  if (G.aim && G.mode === 'splatter' && G.phase === 'pretoss') {
+    const ft = flickTarget(P, G.aim);
+    if (ft.zt) { // locked: the ring rides the zombie itself, plus a marker over its head
+      drawRing(ft.zt.x, ft.zt.z, '#ff5050');
+      const hp = proj(ft.zt.x, 2.2, ft.zt.z);
+      ctx.fillStyle = '#ff5050'; ctx.fillRect(hp.x - 1, hp.y - 4, 3, 3);
+    } else drawRing(ft.tx, ft.tz, '#f8e048');
+  }
 
   // far-side drawables in z order (far → near), then the net, then the near side
   const farSide = [
@@ -392,8 +401,8 @@ export function render() {
     const touch = matchMedia('(pointer: coarse)').matches;
     const stock = G.bombs ? 'BOMB' : G.triples ? 'TRIPLE' : G.flames ? 'FIRE' : null;
     const txt = G.mode === 'splatter'
-      ? (stock ? `FLICK FIRES THE ${stock} · TAP KEEPS IT`
-               : touch ? 'TAP TO SERVE · FLICK TO AIM · SWISH TO MELEE' : 'SPACE SERVES · ARROWS AIM')
+      ? (stock ? `AIMED SERVES FIRE THE ${stock} · TAP KEEPS IT`
+               : touch ? 'TAP TO SERVE · HOLD + DRAG TO AIM' : 'SPACE SERVES · ARROWS AIM')
       : G.serveNum === 2 ? (touch ? 'SECOND SERVE — TAP' : 'SECOND SERVE — SPACE')
         : (touch ? 'TAP TO TOSS, TAP TO SERVE' : 'SPACE TO TOSS, SPACE TO SERVE');
     ctx.fillText(txt, W / 2, H - 16);
diff --git a/state.js b/state.js
index bbe8648..a379242 100644
--- a/state.js
+++ b/state.js
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ export const G = {
   deliveries: 0,      // tins delivered this run — indexes the weapon ladder
   tinDue: false,      // the rules called for new balls — deliver at the next changeover
   pendingGame: false, // a game just ended — flash 'GAME N' when the next one arms
+  aim: null,          // live two-stage serve aim {fx, fy, mag} while the thumb is down (splatter pretoss)
   interlude: false,   // sudden-death point vs the racket zombie: tennis rules apply, shamblers spectate
   horde: null,        // active horde wave {t, spawnT, mgT} — machine-gun racket, no serving
   runGames: 0,        // games finished this run (either side) — the difficulty director