Quote from foible:
Do you have any insights on how to set stoplosses? Are you continually involved in positions, flipping longs to shorts?
With all due respect (and I really do not want you to take this in a negative light), you have more work to do. You need to make the shift from probabilities and statistics, from Sharpe ratios and profit factors, from wins and losses to the realm of execution. The faster (and more accurately) you can recognize the FTT, and the quicker you can take action needs to be your focus.
Forget stops for now.
Before anybody decides to misinterpret my words, let me be
perfectly clear: You need to train your brain still, and
not worry about the trade outcome.
If you feel you are ready to move to simulated trading, make sure you follow the simple rule set for the FTT.
Trade in the direction of the FTT until.
1. You reach another FTT (then reverse), or
2. You reach and FBO (then exit [beginner]), or
3. You reach a BO (then hold).
The above advice works for both equities and futures (as well as many other markets).
IF you find you made an error (you
thought you had an FTT, but it turned out to be something else - HVS, CCC, Dip, Hitch Stall, etc.), then you want to immediately place yourself back in the same direction
prior to your error. Immediately debrief your decision-making error, and then move on.
At this point, it isn't about stops, or losses, or even proper execution. You are testing your input analysis and decision-making ability. Later, you can work on the third facet (taking appropriate and timely action). At that time, you can bring stops back into the equation.
After you can nail the FTT's at each and every turn, you'll see why your question with respect to stops falls under the heading of 'old thinking.'
Again, once you make it 'over the hill' to where you can 'see' in real time the changes about which I speak, you'll understand why I said, 'you need more work' above. I hope you find the above information useful.
Good trading to you.
- Spydertrader