Stating your relationship goals and standards bluntly and early so dates know exactly what you want.
Hardballing is the practice of being direct about your intentions from the very start. Instead of playing it cool, you tell a date plainly what you are looking for and what you will not settle for.
It can sound like saying you want a committed relationship within a clear timeframe, or naming dealbreakers before a second date. The point is to filter quickly and avoid investing in people who want something different.
This sits close to intentional dating but carries a more assertive tone. Hardballing prioritizes honesty over keeping things easy or breezy, and it accepts that some people will be put off by the candor.
The upside is fewer mixed signals and less time lost to ambiguity, which many people find worth the trade. The risk is that bluntness can read as pressure or rigidity, so deliver your standards with warmth and curiosity rather than ultimatums.