1) I keep happening to come across this sometimes - the CPU does a slice anim at the net or in "no mans land" & it always happens when the CPU can't get to the ball. instead of slicing for the ball, the CPU slices the opposite way, in mid air.. I don't know how to explain further. It's happened a few times & I'm not sure if this is suppose to happen.
and just a bit after..
Attached a short .dmo, could be useful (happens at the end of the second point)
2) Well.. not sure if you can do anything about this.