diff --git a/src/useGameStatus/useGameStatus.ts b/src/useGameStatus/useGameStatus.ts
index 6aacd8c..083ef3c 100755
--- a/src/useGameStatus/useGameStatus.ts
+++ b/src/useGameStatus/useGameStatus.ts
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ export function useGameStatus(
         const elapsed = timestamp - lastUpdateRef.current;
 
         if (elapsed >= msPerFrame) {
+          // Apply any buffered direction input BEFORE moving
+          snakeManagerRef.current.applyBufferedDirection();
+
           const result = snakeManagerRef.current.moveSnake(shouldGrow);
 
           shouldGrow = false;
@@ -79,9 +82,6 @@ export function useGameStatus(
             return;
           }
 
-          // Apply any buffered direction input for next frame
-          snakeManagerRef.current.applyBufferedDirection();
-
           const head = snakeManagerRef.current.snakeBodyRef.current[0];
           if (head && foodManagerRef.current.checkFoodCollision(head)) {
             foodManagerRef.current.removeFood(head);