diff --git a/src/ai_mouse/_postprocess.py b/src/ai_mouse/_postprocess.py
index b2f8aef..a737d63 100644
--- a/src/ai_mouse/_postprocess.py
+++ b/src/ai_mouse/_postprocess.py
@@ -92,6 +92,65 @@ def enforce_forward_monotonic(forward: np.ndarray) -> np.ndarray:
     return forward
 
 
+def soften_forward(
+    forward: np.ndarray,
+    backtrack_tol: float = 0.02,
+    overshoot_span: float = 0.08,
+) -> np.ndarray:
+    """Softly regularise the forward axis without destroying natural motion.
+
+    Real trajectories contain small backward corrections and overshoot
+    past the target; hard clipping turns both into visible artifacts
+    (stacked points, vertical walls). Instead:
+
+    - Backtracking is tolerated up to ``backtrack_tol``; larger dips are
+      raised to ``prev - backtrack_tol``.
+    - Values above 1.0 are compressed with tanh so they asymptote at
+      ``1 + overshoot_span`` (moderate overshoot survives, extremes
+      cannot fly far past the target).
+    - No lower clip: the endpoint warp pins the first point later.
+
+    Args:
+        forward: (T,) forward coordinates.
+        backtrack_tol: max allowed per-step regression.
+        overshoot_span: asymptotic max excess above 1.0.
+
+    Returns:
+        New (T,) array.
+    """
+    out = forward.copy()
+    for i in range(1, len(out)):
+        floor = out[i - 1] - backtrack_tol
+        if out[i] < floor:
+            out[i] = floor
+    over = out > 1.0
+    out[over] = 1.0 + overshoot_span * np.tanh((out[over] - 1.0) / overshoot_span)
+    return out
+
+
+def damp_start(lateral: np.ndarray, n: int = 4) -> np.ndarray:
+    """Dampen lateral oscillation over the first ``n`` points, continuously.
+
+    Weights follow smoothstep(i / (n+1)) so the damping releases smoothly
+    into the untouched region (the old linear blend jumped from 0.8 to
+    1.0 and left a visible kink).
+
+    Args:
+        lateral: (T,) lateral coordinates.
+        n: number of leading points to dampen (capped at len//4).
+
+    Returns:
+        New (T,) array.
+    """
+    out = lateral.copy()
+    n = min(n, len(out) // 4)
+    for i in range(1, n + 1):
+        t = i / (n + 1)
+        w = t * t * (3.0 - 2.0 * t)  # smoothstep
+        out[i] *= w
+    return out
+
+
 def resample_arc(xy: np.ndarray, n_points: int) -> np.ndarray:
     """Resample a 2-D polyline to ``n_points`` along cumulative arc length."""
     arc = np.concatenate(
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_postprocess.py b/tests/unit/test_postprocess.py
index f78e059..e2bcd2e 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_postprocess.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_postprocess.py
@@ -182,3 +182,27 @@ def test_soften_forward_no_lower_clip() -> None:
     f = np.array([0.0, -0.01, 0.30, 0.70, 1.0])
     out = soften_forward(f)
     assert out[1] < 0.0
+
+
+from ai_mouse._postprocess import damp_start
+
+
+def test_damp_start_dampens_early_lateral() -> None:
+    lat = np.full(16, 1.0)
+    out = damp_start(lat, n=4)
+    assert out[1] < out[2] < out[3] < out[4] < 1.0  # monotone ramp
+    assert np.all(out[5:] == 1.0)  # untouched past n
+
+
+def test_damp_start_no_release_jump() -> None:
+    # The weight at i=n must be close to 1 (continuous release):
+    # smoothstep(4/5) = 0.896, vs the old linear 4/5 = 0.8.
+    lat = np.full(16, 1.0)
+    out = damp_start(lat, n=4)
+    assert out[4] > 0.85
+
+
+def test_damp_start_short_input_safe() -> None:
+    lat = np.array([0.0, 0.5, 0.3])
+    out = damp_start(lat, n=4)  # n capped to len//4 = 0 → no-op
+    assert np.array_equal(out, lat)