FWIW... the emini game has been tough so far this year, too. Markets went from zero volatility to outright explosion overnight, which was nice. Now right back to zero volatility again.
This week, Wed thru Fri had no movement except 2:15pm thru 4:15pm est courtesy of FOMC event catalyst.
20.25 pit-session hours, 18.25 hours of listless chop.
I've been scalping out of moribund trades for a point or two more now than ever in my career. Also, many of the smoothest ES swings happen between 7:00am and 9:00am est in the globex period.
Price action is lately either program-slam bursts or consolidation, very little in between. It stands to reason that the change in stock market action, movement and trader patterns would likewise spill over to some degree in the futures. When the ranges are good it is great; when ES paints a 6.5pt span in 6.75 clock hours, not easy.