diff --git a/scripts/KickSystem.gd b/scripts/KickSystem.gd
index 90ca8c4..8196957 100644
--- a/scripts/KickSystem.gd
+++ b/scripts/KickSystem.gd
@@ -52,6 +52,11 @@ static func resolve(owner: Node3D, other: Node3D, owner_vel: Vector3) -> bool:
 static func _execute_recipe(a: Node3D, b: Node3D, recipe: Dictionary) -> void:
 	var pos := (a.global_position + b.global_position) * 0.5
 	var parent := a.get_parent()
+	# Emit before freeing so respawn counters in Main decrement correctly.
+	if a.has_signal("destroyed"):
+		a.emit_signal("destroyed")
+	if b.has_signal("destroyed"):
+		b.emit_signal("destroyed")
 	a.queue_free()
 	b.queue_free()
 	var scene: PackedScene = load(recipe["result_scene"])