Question for everyone that answered on this thread - this is a long post, I hope you guys will be patient!
I'm new to futures trading, and just started trading the YM contract on 02/27 - trial by fire!
02/27 sold into avalanche, covered after bounce - one trade for the day, great start.
02/28 made a couple of trades, net profit at end of day - again, from short side mostly into downdrafts.
03/01 problem arose today - I had written down on my trade sheet to "buy 12,100 support and short 12,300 resistance" (gleaned from 02/27 price action).
We all knew the market was going down on the open, and I couldn't pull the trigger to sell into the abyss. Ok, missed that move, deal with it. But what I consider to be the real problem is this - I didn't pull the trigger to buy when we hit 12,100. We all know when the moves are that fast and violent, you have to be quick on the trigger. But I didn't make the trade, and it wasn't about being fast.
Result - missed the big jump up. I froze after missing the initial short trade - couldn't pull the trigger to go long, even though it was the clear move to make - I was even saying to myself, "you HAVE to buy this type of extreme move" - fade it - AND I had on my sheet to buy the level 12,100 - it was there for the taking. Then to top it off, I spent the day trading in and out to the tune of net loss for the day.
How do I get over this "directional trade bias" problem - being more inclined and comfortable trading one way over the other? I'm gunshy about buying into severe downdrafts, but have no problem selling severe upswings. I can fade violent upmoves, and sell into avalanches - but fading downswings, buying into gushers - that is difficult for me.
I can't seem to shake it. And it applies to the ability to hold a trade longer too - if I'm short, I have more patience. But if I go long, I'm more fearful.
Anyone have any suggestions for me?