diff --git a/src/entities/Player.js b/src/entities/Player.js
index 44e7eee..82fdbcc 100644
--- a/src/entities/Player.js
+++ b/src/entities/Player.js
@@ -67,26 +67,36 @@ export class Player extends Physics.Arcade.Sprite {
   jump(force = JUMP_VELOCITY) {
     if (this.state === 'dead' || this.state === 'rocket' || this.state === 'propeller') return false;
     this.setVelocityY(force);
-    this.scene.tweens.add({
+    // Squash-and-stretch, but never let two squash tweens stack on rapid
+    // bounces (that made the sprite scale pop and look like it was breaking up).
+    if (this.squashTween) this.squashTween.stop();
+    this.setScale(0.45);
+    this.squashTween = this.scene.tweens.add({
       targets: this,
       scaleX: 0.55,
-      scaleY: 0.4,
-      duration: 80,
+      scaleY: 0.38,
+      duration: 90,
       yoyo: true,
       ease: 'Quad.easeOut',
+      onComplete: () => {
+        this.squashTween = null;
+        this.setScale(0.45);
+      },
     });
     return true;
   }
 
-  cutJump(factor) {
-    if (this.state !== 'normal') return;
-    if (this.body.velocity.y < 0) {
-      this.setVelocityY(this.body.velocity.y * factor);
+  _stopSquash() {
+    if (this.squashTween) {
+      this.squashTween.stop();
+      this.squashTween = null;
     }
+    this.setScale(0.45);
   }
 
   startPropeller() {
     if (this.state === 'dead') return;
+    this._stopSquash();
     this.state = 'propeller';
     this.propellerTimer = POWERUP_DURATION.propeller;
     const oldHeight = this.displayHeight;
@@ -98,6 +108,7 @@ export class Player extends Physics.Arcade.Sprite {
 
   startRocket() {
     if (this.state === 'dead') return;
+    this._stopSquash();
     this.state = 'rocket';
     this.rocketTimer = POWERUP_DURATION.rocket;
     const oldHeight = this.displayHeight;
@@ -108,6 +119,7 @@ export class Player extends Physics.Arcade.Sprite {
   }
 
   endPowerUp() {
+    this._stopSquash();
     const oldHeight = this.displayHeight;
     this.state = 'normal';
     this.setTexture('player_idle');
@@ -119,6 +131,7 @@ export class Player extends Physics.Arcade.Sprite {
 
   die() {
     if (this.state === 'dead') return;
+    this._stopSquash();
     this.state = 'dead';
     this.setTexture('player_dead');
     this.setScale(0.4);
diff --git a/src/scenes/GameScene.js b/src/scenes/GameScene.js
index f6edb01..46cb942 100644
--- a/src/scenes/GameScene.js
+++ b/src/scenes/GameScene.js
@@ -97,6 +97,10 @@ export class GameScene extends Scene {
 
     this.escKey.on('down', () => this.togglePause());
 
+    // Move the camera after physics has synced the sprite (POST_UPDATE) so the
+    // player never lags the camera by a frame on fast vertical movement.
+    this.events.on('postupdate', this.lateUpdate, this);
+
     // Auto-pause when the tab/window is hidden — avoids a delta-spike teleport
     // on refocus. Player must resume manually (not auto-resumed).
     this._onHidden = () => {
@@ -114,6 +118,19 @@ export class GameScene extends Scene {
       this.game.events.off('hidden', this._onHidden);
       this._onHidden = null;
     }
+    this.events.off('postupdate', this.lateUpdate, this);
+  }
+
+  // Runs after the physics step (sprite positions already synced this frame).
+  lateUpdate() {
+    if (this.isGameOver || this.isPaused || !this.player) return;
+    // Doodle-jump camera: latch the player at the trigger line going up; never
+    // scroll back down.
+    const targetScrollY = this.player.y - this.cameraTriggerY;
+    if (targetScrollY < this.cameras.main.scrollY) {
+      this.cameras.main.scrollY = targetScrollY;
+    }
+    this.bg.tilePositionY = Math.round(this.cameras.main.scrollY * 0.3);
   }
 
   update(time, delta) {
@@ -127,14 +144,9 @@ export class GameScene extends Scene {
       this.player.setVelocityY(PHYSICS.maxFallSpeed);
     }
 
-    // Camera: latch player at trigger line going up, free movement otherwise.
-    const targetScrollY = this.player.y - this.cameraTriggerY;
-    if (targetScrollY < this.cameras.main.scrollY) {
-      this.cameras.main.scrollY = targetScrollY;
-    }
-
-    this.bg.tilePositionY = Math.round(this.cameras.main.scrollY * 0.3);
-
+    // NOTE: camera following happens in lateUpdate (POST_UPDATE) — after the
+    // physics step syncs the sprite — otherwise the camera lags the player by
+    // one frame and fast ascent/rocket looks jittery.
     this.minScrollY = Math.min(this.minScrollY, this.cameras.main.scrollY);
     const killLine = this.minScrollY + GAME_HEIGHT;