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vsa with Malcolm

  • #36,481
  • Edited 6:30pm Jun 4, 2025 2:34pm | Edited 6:30pm
Quoting Frag8383
Hi guys, I need help¡¡¡¡ On the attached chart called 1, You see a blue bar moving upwards, after a base, The bar labeled 1 is on high volume, bigger than the last 20 bars or so but it closes of the highs and the next candle is down and closing below the low of bar 1 So we can say that on bar 1 there was definitely selling. On chart 2 you can see the result, prices moved up. This kind of movement is preventing me from entry many trades. My way of thinking was, ok big up volume followed by a down bar there must be selling, so later when it did make...
Hi Frag,
I would like to offer some insights from my own experience and perspective, (both limited and subjective) but a lot of what I consider important falls outside of the scope of this thread. VSA is a part of my overall strategy but it is not the only ingredient, VSA is interwoven with other parts I find useful.
I mainly use VSA on longer TFs, including DOW NYSE sessions only.

Every trading instrument has both characteristics, the common characteristics and specific characteristics, I am of the opinion that it is important to be aware of these distinction and utilise that awareness.

Ancient Greeks used two terms in relation to time, Chronos and Kairos, it is important to know the distinctions between these terms and apply them, trading included.
https://www.google.com/search?q=conc...hrome&ie=UTF-8
For this reason I distinguish NYSE sessions. PA outside the NYSE sessions is useful to see what MM are doing, taking gaps into account.
Interestingly, the volume is still displayed on DOW outside of NYSE session when the principal market is closed, the displayed volume outside the NYSE session has very different effect on results directly correlated to it.

I also think in terms of trend/range scenarios and movement to the mean and away from the mean (both of them in relation to the trending range)- a very important part for me.

Things mentioned above are just an examples of things I consider and use some tools to assist in interpreting the PA in a way that brings consistent profits.

I wish you good results in your trading journey.
2be
Make sure losses are small and profits are bigger!
  • #36,482
  • Jun 4, 2025 3:41pm Jun 4, 2025 3:41pm
Quoting Frag8383
...I have seen many of his charts and when he thinks that is buying or selling like on this case he waits for prices to cloes above the high of the selling bar.
In this example, you would be going long at the open of interval 8, which appears to open slightly above the selling bar, but definitely closes above it. Also note that if you employ the trigger matrix, it is possible to get in a trade prior to a breach of the high of the selling bar. Take a look at the start of this move. There is a 2 bar reversal entry that comes before the high is breached. When price bounces off the 50% line.

One more point on the original question.

Ideally, in order to go short, you would want to see an UP bar with the equivalent volume as the Ultra High Down bar at the beginning of the move. The volume at 1 isn't even close, so you should still be predisposed to trading on the long side. Volume is how we gauge professional activity. Accordingly, we want to see a lot of professional activity at the beginning/ending of a campaign in order to get involved.
Without VSA, you're playing checkers while the Smart Money plays chess.
  • #36,483
  • Edited Jun 5, 2025 11:58am Jun 4, 2025 3:59pm | Edited Jun 5, 2025 11:58am
Quoting 2be
I also think in terms of trend/range scenarios and movement to the mean and away from the mean (both of them in relation to the trending range)- a very important part for me. 2be
I am a total believer in the importance of trend. I would almost go as far as to say, the fact that markets trend is the only edge a retail trader really has. Notice how I mentioned the unidentified MA in the previous post. The trend isn't just your friend, it's your lover.

Personally, I would not be trading on this time frame. But if we assume that this is a 1 minute chart, then I would be looking for FTFC on the 60 min, Daily, and Weekly as my trend determination factor. No short trade would be attempted unless or until each timeframe's last price was below it's most recent respective open.
Without VSA, you're playing checkers while the Smart Money plays chess.
  • #36,484
  • Jun 5, 2025 10:22am Jun 5, 2025 10:22am
closed my oil trade. went short on silver.
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  • #36,485
  • Jun 5, 2025 12:59pm Jun 5, 2025 12:59pm
Quoting Frag8383
Hi guys, I need help¡¡¡¡ On the attached chart called 1, You see a blue bar moving upwards, after a base, The bar labeled 1 is on high volume, bigger than the last 20 bars or so but it closes of the highs and the next candle is down and closing below the low of bar 1 So we can say that on bar 1 there was definitely selling. On chart 2 you can see the result, prices moved up. This kind of movement is preventing me from entry many trades. My way of thinking was, ok big up volume followed by a down bar there must be selling, so later when it did make...
i would concentrate only on high volume bars. you have a clear uptrend after london and ny open. there is always the possibility of something unexpected happening to short the market, but the general push is for prices to go up. in general i would disregard rest of the bars until i see the next high volume bars.
  • #36,486
  • Edited Jun 6, 2025 4:20pm Jun 5, 2025 6:28pm | Edited Jun 6, 2025 4:20pm
Quoting HiddenGap
{quote} I am a total believer in the importance of trend. I would almost go as far as to say, the fact that markets trend is the only edge a retail trader really has. Notice how I mentioned the unidentified MA in the previous post. The trend isn't just your friend, it's your lover. Personally, I would not be trading on this time frame. But if we assume that this is a 1 minute chart, then I would be looking for FTFC on the 60 min, Daily, and Weekly as my trend determination factor. No short trade would be attempted unless or until each timeframe's...
...the fact that markets trend is the only edge a retail trader really has...
the statement above is so VERY VERY true, VSA has to be used in the context of TREND

One has to keep things in balance, the often repeated slogans like - the market keeps the trend 75% or more, or - the market is in range about 80% of the time (although both are true) have to be subjectively observed, understood and these implications of subjective understanding applied and positively verified - blatantly, the only verification are the consistent profits, this notion is well avoided by various explanations by the ever hopeful but in reality as for now still the consistently loosing traders - providers of the liquidity. There is nothing wrong having loosing trades while learning, trading smaller lots, or having certain percentage of loosing trades but over all still be reasonable profitable.

Applying VSA principles (the most basic principles) in relation to trend demands most serious consideration.
Buying climax and selling climax are very important, but if not carful one is tempted to see them everywhere, even worse, see both of them at once in a horizontally ranging markets. (my sarcasm to make a point).
It is true that trend has the tendency to continue about 3 times out of 4, 75% or more, that means that at least 3 times out of 4 I not only might but I will certainly be wrong acting solely on badly, haphazardly and heuristically identified climax ( either selling or buying climax).

Another important subject to consider is that climaxes are inseparably related to turning/rotation points/zones thus hopefully creating swing trades, when there is a change of trend or a strong move against the prevailing trend. Catching tops and bottoms is another term for that, though not always needs to be negative notion, but if acted upon it has to be always accompanied by remedies (usually in the form of tight SL or hedging) just in case things go wrong.

If not careful I can be excessively preoccupied with climaxes leading to the rotation points, thus ignoring the obvious and statistically proven fact that trend is 3 times more likely to continue than to change it's direction. While the concepts of buying climax and selling climax are important and indeed very useful, it is paramount to pay attention to VSA in relation to the trend continuation! Taking statistic of the trend continuation as at least 3 to 4, it rightly might be considered that matching the VSA principles to the trend continuation statistics one shall develop a way to apply the VSA principles in a statistically parallel manner.
By this I mean that I am committed to use VSA as trend continuation as well as indicating possible rotations, it may be that three times more energy and attention should indeed be given to VSA in relation to the trend continuation, versus catching tops and bottoms.
The above is assumed but that assumption can easily be ignored, and my emotional and psychological constitution will make me busy with things that can endanger profits.

There remains much more to be written, but for a time being let the above be a stimulus to creative, purposeful and profitable application of VSA, being VSA in the context of other useful trading insights.

Ps
Due to one of the most basic VSA principle - effort versus results - I am posing posting for a while.
Things to do, trading included, studies and various places to visit.
Make sure losses are small and profits are bigger!
  • #36,487
  • Jun 12, 2025 8:51pm Jun 12, 2025 8:51pm
These high volume bars that are being printed right now. Probably a good idea to fib them and keep them on your charts for a while.

There will be some setups at those fibs!
  • #36,488
  • Jun 13, 2025 3:44am Jun 13, 2025 3:44am
Quoting Anotan
These high volume bars that are being printed right now. Probably a good idea to fib them and keep them on your charts for a while. There will be some setups at those fibs!
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
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DOW move well after NYSE close on higher that usual tick volume for that period, news inspired move, though the PB has been expected looking at the Daily and H4 alongside the seasonal chart of DOW
The coming week - June 19th, and the Triple Witching Friday
Make sure losses are small and profits are bigger!
  • #36,489
  • Jun 13, 2025 2:54pm Jun 13, 2025 2:54pm
Quoting 2be
{quote} {image} {image} DOW move well after NYSE close on higher that usual tick volume for that period, news inspired move, though the PB has been expected looking at the Daily and H4 alongside the seasonal chart of DOW The coming week - June 19th, and the Triple Witching Friday
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: DOW Mtf Gaps 2025-06-13_203243.png Size: 206 KB


Great PA during the NYSE session.
All moves on respectfully high tick volume - decisive moves.
Wishing all great weekend!
Make sure losses are small and profits are bigger!
  • #36,490
  • Edited Jun 15, 2025 7:25am Jun 14, 2025 5:15pm | Edited Jun 15, 2025 7:25am
Many years ago I have experimented with tick candles, still have some pre-set numbers of ticks per candle.
The tick volume creates a candle with OHLC in accordance with the set number of ticks, candle is thus created solely by the ticks, irrelevant of time.
Has anybody got some experience with that approach.
Make sure losses are small and profits are bigger!
  • #36,491
  • Edited Jun 17, 2025 1:44am Jun 16, 2025 4:20am | Edited Jun 17, 2025 1:44am
Quoting 2be
Many years ago I have experimented with tick candles, still have some pre-set numbers of ticks per candle. The tick volume creates a candle with OHLC in accordance with the set number of ticks, candle is thus created solely by the ticks, irrelevant of time. Has anybody got some experience with that approach.
https://www.google.com/search?q=tick...kJCQapnGg,st:0
The utility of the tick chart (the display on the number of trades, not the size of trades) is still useful, but do not be deceived by equalling the number of trades with the size (number of contracts/shares which truly represents volume. In that sense a true volume even if achievable on indices is a very complex and demands expansive data feed which is more accurate but not perfect
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
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Pleas note that Finviz (bottom chart) displays only NYSE session

Possibly useful though basic explanation
https://thesecretmindset.com/tick-charts/


Tick chart the way I have been using is very basic, let say 500 tick per candle chart displays congestion and M5 to M15 is in an ares/zone of interest, than I reed it as a possibility of entry/exit This is not a prefect and exact art, but it seems to be useful during the active NYSE session
I know that this post is a diversion from what some would consider VSA, though the most basic VSA is to observe tick against the real volume of the exact number of counteracts/shares of the given security.

In the end one has to work with what is available, taking into account that retail traders face many natural disadvantages, and advantages too.
Whatever one does make sure that the scale is tipped in our favour!!! - Being consistently profitable.
Make sure losses are small and profits are bigger!
  • #36,492
  • Edited 3:08pm Jun 16, 2025 2:35pm | Edited 3:08pm
Quoting 2be
{quote} https://www.google.com/search?q=tick...kJCQapnGg,st:0...
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An example of Tick charts together with Time based charts
an area of interest was the zone around the upper Fib Band on M1, confluence of other things I use, perfect rotation

Attached Image (click to enlarge)
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Important note:
I use many charts displayed at that same time, many TFs and different settings.
I trade 4 accounts using 4 computers and many monitors.
I do not spend much time analysing shorter TFs, I act on what I am able to see at a glance, though the parameters of that glance have been worked on well before the trading starts, and the trading strategy has been created long time ago.
I am not surprised if one or all would say it is too much, I would say that same if all these crowded elements have not been studied, tested and practised for a good amount of time by myself, they assist in harvesting good profits.
Make sure losses are small and profits are bigger!
  • #36,493
  • Edited Jun 17, 2025 1:47am Jun 16, 2025 5:49pm | Edited Jun 17, 2025 1:47am
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
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DOW M30 three charts three different volumes
Finviz likely displays something close to the real volume.
The reassuring thing is that the displayed PA looks the same, the volume is another story.

I think it is paramount to be aware of the limitations of achieving true volume on DOW in that case.
Hundred years ago while trading shares of particular company was a different matter, tape machine had solid information of PA and the numbers of sold/bought shares were at particular price levels. Somehow that relatively precise perspective has been transferred to indices, forex and so on in todays reality.
While trading single stocks directly from the stock exchange still provides data of prices and numbers of shares being traded, with indices the matter is much more complicated. With Forex and Crypto the volume, true volume is not achievable. Since the numbers of ticks have been linked to and proposed as volume, it is easy to be confused. This confusion translates to inability to trade, possible losses. Each trading platform for retail traders post only the data derived from its own pond of traders, although the pricing seems to be relatively and just about similar, I always have DOW ticker any way, every thing else IMHO is much less precise.
The other disturbing statistics are that the majority of retail traders loose, and they trades also constitute some, although hopefully small part of the data displayed. On the other hand loosing traders do not last long and possibly move to paper or demo trading and for a while mess about on different forums.

I am trying to say that it is important to be aware of strengths and weaknesses of tools one is applying to trading.
Subscribing to live data feeds is a good idea, but incorporating that data into a given charting software might be more complicated.
One needs to try and continually be alert.
Good trading to all!
Make sure losses are small and profits are bigger!
  • #36,494
  • Jun 17, 2025 9:10am Jun 17, 2025 9:10am
Quoting 1odi
this past week was great, 1 loss and 3 wins. Crude oil first attempt on 1st ND was a loss as they took the high again, 2nd trade was a 5R win 6C Hourly ranging but overall uptrend, 5m setup after NFP, that 2 me is the perfect looking setup. and thursday shorted 6E, hrly weakness, 5m entry short {image} {image} {image} {image}
my high probability setup strikes again
background strenght for today, and another shakeout with SV confirmed by breaking resistance, pullback at fib showing strenght again and followed by a NS. got in as it pushed above the NS, stop just below.
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
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  • #36,495
  • Edited Jun 20, 2025 1:45am Jun 19, 2025 7:58am | Edited Jun 20, 2025 1:45am
Quoting 1odi
{quote} my high probability setup strikes again background strenght for today, and another shakeout with SV confirmed by breaking resistance, pullback at fib showing strenght again and followed by a NS. got in as it pushed above the NS, stop just below. {image}
same scenario different day..
there was already some buyin from the lows but what convinced me was that beautiful shakeout, obvious buying that broke prev resist on low vol, low vol pullback, got in long at fib, gave it a bit of room and target the eqh from yesterday and see what vol comes around that area and just manage the trade accordingly
EDIT> closed it 25m ago at BE -fees. it s ranging on low vol..i was banking on a nice quick push seeing that buying, but i guess they gonna probably move Asia or London, and i can t hold positions overnight so..on to the next trade.

Edit, looks like it did worked out as intended just late NY and Asia straight to target...c est la vie. markets close early today also i think.
Attached Image(s) (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: 6B beautiful long setup after 15m setup that didn t tagged me in, took the 5m setup cos how nice it Size: 36 KB
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  • #36,496
  • Edited 11:26am Jun 26, 2025 8:59am | Edited 11:26am
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: 3m potential long trade on Gold thursday 4pm no news.png Size: 28 KB

i went long based on 1m SOS and NS at 3m fib
EDIT> BE set just now as a bit of vol kicked in and also late in the day, will give it another hr or so and close whereever it s at.
  • #36,497
  • Jun 26, 2025 11:40am Jun 26, 2025 11:40am
Quoting Frag8383
Thanks for the reply, Different ways to look at it, I have been going trough Malcolm is to trade long when the price is above the high of bar 1, I have seen many of his charts and when he thinks that is buying or selling like on this case he waits for prices to cloes above the high of the selling bar. Im not good at doing bar by bar analysis, but your explanation makes perfect sense Once again thanks guys kind regards
yeah, bar by bar analysis can sometimes be daunting as even the best plays can go sideways or even if ur right the market just doesn t colaborate..but..stick with it.
that comes with time and a lot of chart hrs. Also, what i did when i was in the beggining was just analyze the big picture, areas of high vol, what s the result of that hence establishing if bull or bear. then u look for a way in, whatever setup seems like higher odds for u. However, all is good and fun except the managing part of the trade! master the management and ur set! Knowing when ur setup losses or gains probability is the game changer imo and act accordingly knowing there s always another trade. cheers
  • #36,498
  • Jun 29, 2025 6:56am Jun 29, 2025 6:56am
Quoting Frag8383
Thanks for the reply, Different ways to look at it, I have been going trough Malcolm is to trade long when the price is above the high of bar 1, I have seen many of his charts and when he thinks that is buying or selling like on this case he waits for prices to cloes above the high of the selling bar. Im not good at doing bar by bar analysis, but your explanation makes perfect sense Once again thanks guys kind regards
Hi frag, have a look at this video (not mine) but it does help out in what to look for, eg strong bars weak bars, I found it helped me, I hope it does the same for you

Inserted Video
  • #36,499
  • Jul 2, 2025 4:51am Jul 2, 2025 4:51am
Quoting bandler
{quote} Hi frag, have a look at this video (not mine) but it does help out in what to look for, eg strong bars weak bars, I found it helped me, I hope it does the same for you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26icQLHBcCY
Hello!

Great video, thanks a lot.

The way he uses volume is more Wyckoff than VSA, in the sense that for him, strength comes on up bars and weakness on down bars. In VSA, it’s the other way around, and that’s one of the reasons why I think people find VSA difficult to grasp. We tend to think that every down bar with big volume is stopping volume.

The way I do it is a mix of the two. I look for stopping volume, but then I look for Wyckoff signs of strength. I don’t enter if I don’t see Wyckoff strength or weakness.
Thanks again, the video really helped.

Kind regards.
  • #36,500
  • Jul 2, 2025 5:28pm Jul 2, 2025 5:28pm
last week was good but this week so far is insane. only CL traded so far and a gold trade.
Attached Image(s) (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: 2setups 2 wins same day on CL, +4r and +5r beautiful WINS.png Size: 53 KB
Click to Enlarge Name: tuesday gold short 5m setup at high of day +2R.png Size: 43 KB
Click to Enlarge Name: Monday CL long 5m setup nice win +7r trade.png Size: 41 KB
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