Prerequisites - Compulsory Setting?

Since the “Prerequisites” tab is a suggestion rather than compulsory by default, is there a way to keep content hidden from learners until a specified date and/or could provisions be made such that we have the option of choosing whether a prerequisite is mandatory? I know coaches can use the “groups” and/or “all learners” options to hide content, but I am thinking something more automated to reduce coach workload.

How are other schools handling this to keep students from jumping ahead (or are all current implementations letting students run through the entire course without such parameters)?