5 questions to ask before you commit
Because your decision should hold up long after the Instagram post fades
A commitment is more than a field hockey decision.
It’s a choice that will shape your next four years — and possibly the rest of your life.
Too many players rush to commit for the wrong reasons:
The school has a big name or brand
The team’s ranked high
The post will get a lot of likes
But the hype fades fast.
The fit is what lasts.
Before you say “yes” to any school, ask yourself these five questions.
1. Am I doing this for me… or for someone else’s approval?
Commitments make for great Instagram posts — and yes, it’s fun to impress people.
But this is your decision, not your parents’, not your club coach’s, not your followers’.
Ask yourself:
Would I still want this if nobody else knew?
Am I saying yes because it feels right, or because I feel pressured?
In recruiting, it’s easy to get caught up in what “sounds impressive.” But impressive doesn’t always mean it’s the best fit for you.
2. Would I still love this school if field hockey disappeared tomorrow?
Picture this: you arrive on campus ready to play, but a few weeks later, you get injured.
Or your coach leaves.
Or your role on the team isn’t what you expected.
Would you still be happy here without field hockey?
That means looking at:
Academics: Does the school have your intended major or an academic path you’re excited about?
Location: Could you see yourself living here for four years?
Campus life: Are there activities, people, and a culture you’d enjoy if you weren’t always with your team?
If the answer is “no,” you’re betting too much on one piece of the puzzle staying perfect.
3. Do I believe in the coaching staff and program culture?
You’ll spend more time with your coaches and teammates than anyone else on campus.
That means their values, personalities, and leadership styles will impact your experience every single day.
Look for:
How they treat each other on and off the field
How they handle mistakes and setbacks
Whether the team atmosphere feels competitive and supportive
Don’t choose a program based only on its ranking or its gear. Choose people you can see yourself trusting, learning from, and enjoying the journey with.
4. What’s the academic fit and support like?
Field hockey might get you in the door, but academics are what will carry you long after graduation.
Ask yourself:
Do they offer my major — or multiple majors I’d be happy in if I change my mind?
What’s the graduation rate for student-athletes?
What academic support systems are in place? (Tutoring, study halls, advising)
You want a school where you can challenge yourself academically and get the help you need to succeed.
5. Do I understand the competitive landscape for my position?
Playing time is never guaranteed. Coaches can’t tell you exactly how you’ll fit until you’re there — and even then, roles change constantly.
But you can learn about the competition you’ll be stepping into.
It can be taken as read that coaches are always trying to bring in new talent to raise the level of their team. Beyond that, you can also ask:
Whether they typically redshirt freshmen
How often they rotate players, or what their substitution chart looks like
Whether their style of play fits your strengths
This isn’t about locking in minutes; it’s far too early for that.
It’s about ensuring you’re stepping into an environment where you can thrive and grow.
Reality Check
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of committing.
But this is a four-year decision, not a four-hour photo op.
The more honestly you answer these questions, the more confident you’ll feel on signing day — and the more likely you’ll be happy with your choice for all four years.
🚨 Class of 2027 🚨 - Struggling to answer these questions with confidence? The Commitment Countdown is a 75-minute video course that shows you exactly how to navigate coach conversations, decode true intentions, and confidently handle offers.