Quote from bathrobe:
To all, when figuring longer term S/R more I guess important is the word or primary how far back do you go? 10 years?, more? and when establishing S/R using candlesticks do you use the wick or body?
TIA
Chris
Time frames and scale size are only limited by the degree of price action seen. The more buyers or sellers test S/R levels for control, the greater probability each test becomes of turning what was once support into resistance and vice - versa. In a daily chart for an example in may take a few weeks, months or even years of seeing price action gravitate toward and be repelled by S/R levels of price satisfaction. You may have seen this first hand in intraday charts from 1441 ES where 1370 had been held as buying support for three swings before leading the way to where we're at now. On the other hand 1370 had been hit so many times that as an area of a point of control it's near ineffective, and will, eventually, have another consolidating period below 1370 or above it to create another point of control.
What's important to consider in my view, no matter if you position, swing, momentum, or scalp trade is to view S/R levels as a mere measuring rod of where price could hold or could reverse, and relying on "could" isn't the best of strategies. Learning to read order flow as well as price action via Level 2 At The Book Institutional orders or Level 1.5 Time and Sales, as well as S/R levels at your own technical deducements paint an near perfect picture.
Will price where you thought was a decent area of support be ripped to shreds 200 points within minutes, carrying your bracket stop 3/4 of the way with it for no other reason than the law of gravity? Maybe. And be assured if that happens: fair or not, you will hear from someone to collect on that slippage if it blew your account.
It's easier for someone scalping 8 tick mini swings to pass off indicator or market internal reading as swank and not en vogue, but when the next crash comes, and there's always the next crash, they'll be the same people in dire straights.
Take care of who you give credit where credit may not be due.