diff --git a/game.js b/game.js
index a93488e..ff75aa7 100644
--- a/game.js
+++ b/game.js
@@ -579,14 +579,12 @@ function update(dt) {
   if (phase === 'over') { overT -= dt; if (overT <= 0) setupPoint(); }
 }
 
-function predictLanding() { // first-bounce point of the ball's current trajectory
-  let { x, y, z, vx, vy, vz } = ball;
-  const g = ball.g || TUNE.gravity, dt = 0.01;
-  for (let i = 0; i < 300; i++) {
-    vy -= g * dt; x += vx * dt; y += vy * dt; z += vz * dt;
-    if (y <= 0) return { x, z };
-  }
-  return null;
+function predictLanding() { // first-bounce point, closed form — exact, so the ring never jitters
+  const g = ball.g || TUNE.gravity;
+  const disc = ball.vy * ball.vy + 2 * g * ball.y;
+  if (disc < 0) return null;
+  const t = (ball.vy + Math.sqrt(disc)) / g; // time until y = 0
+  return { x: ball.x + ball.vx * t, z: ball.z + ball.vz * t };
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------- render ----
@@ -739,7 +737,7 @@ function render() {
   // server idly bouncing the ball while waiting
   if (phase === 'pretoss') {
     const sv = score.server === 'P' ? P : O;
-    const bx = sv.x - 0.5 * (sv.side === 'P' ? 1 : -1), by = Math.abs(Math.sin(idleT * 3.6)) * 0.7; // floor to the reaching hand
+    const bx = sv.x - 0.5 * (sv.side === 'P' ? 1 : -1), by = Math.abs(Math.sin(idleT * 3.6)) * 0.55; // floor to the reaching hand
     const sh = proj(bx, 0, sv.z);
     ctx.fillStyle = 'rgba(0,0,0,0.3)';
     ctx.beginPath(); ctx.ellipse(sh.x, sh.y, Math.max(1.5, sh.s * 0.08), Math.max(1, sh.s * 0.035), 0, 0, 7); ctx.fill();