Hard-balling: The dating trend for those sick of romantic mind games

Are you also done with the kind of dating scenes in 2025? Well, Gen Z is tired, and they are currently concentrating on ‘hardballing’. Coined by Logan Ury, Director of Relationship Science at Hinge, hardballing is the act of putting your romantic intentions front and centre from day one.

Hardballing comes as a reaction to the emotionally taxing dynamics that have dominated dating apps and relationships over the past few years. Be it ghosting, breadcrumbing, orbiting, or situationships, romance, once a rom com has turned into a psychological thriller.

Many young daters are fed up. In a world where even simple texting can feel like a battle, ‘hardballing’ is the way to ensure that you are not wasting your time.

Instead of spending weeks wondering “what are we?”, hardballers bypass the drama. This kind of emotional transparency can be liberating.

Communication is important for hardballing

Clear communication helps strengthen relationships and hardballing is all about communication. A person who knows their priorities and expresses them well tends to be a supportive, long-term partner; one who addresses issues constructively and focuses on solutions instead of dwelling on problems. Such clarity fosters trust, stability, and mutual understanding in any lasting relationship.

Will this, however, steal the magic of dating?

Still, some argue that this approach, though effective, can strip dating of its magic. There’s a certain charm to the unfolding unknown, learning someone’s quirks slowly, being surprised by their goals, or discovering through shared experiences what you both want. While romance has historically thrived on anticipation and serendipity, this generation does not want to take risks.

What is the best approach?

Perhaps the healthiest approach lies somewhere in between. Start with openness about your broad intentions, whether you’re looking for something casual or serious but leave space for emotional evolution. Relationships aren’t always linear. Sometimes you meet someone with one idea in mind, only to feel something unexpected that changes your course.

How to hardball on your first date?

Hardballing is all about being clear and confident about your intentions from the start. On a first date, this means openly communicating what you’re looking for in a relationship without trying to mold your desires to match your date’s.