Time series momentum will never pick up true market top or bottom, but tends to avoid major draw-down during time of distress.
One could employ some option strategies to avoid tail risk. I also roll 1x2's regularly to mitigate my levered portfolio, but they are expensive.
I believe diversification is only free lunch available and always take them over any market technicians or guru's call.
There are two other free lunches:
1) reducing tax exposure
2) reducing transaction costs
But those two plus the one you mentioned are the only three I'm aware of.