Guiding Them to a Decision: Timelines, Deadlines and Asking for a Commitment

Getting a “yes” from a recruit doesn’t happen by chance — it happens by design.

In this AVCA Recruiting Academy session, Dan Tudor reveals how to confidently and ethically guide college prospects at any level through the decision-making process using clear timelines, consistent communication, and well-timed commitment conversations. This session will focus on having you begin to develop a more clearly defined system of your own that you can use for your program.

Drawing from more than two decades of research and focus groups studying how volleyball recruits and their families make final choices, Dan will outline a structured, proven process for helping your recruits reach a decision — one that feels natural for them and effective for you.

You’ll learn:

• How to establish and communicate a decision timeline that keeps recruits moving forward without pressure.
• When and how to introduce deadlines so they motivate rather than scare off athletes and parents.
• The right way to ask for a commitment, including language, tone, and timing that lead to honest answers and real decisions.
• How to overcome silence, indecision, and competing offers while maintaining trust and momentum.

By the end of this session, you’ll have a practical roadmap for turning long-term recruiting relationships into confident, timely commitments — without feeling “salesy” or pushy.