I rely on order flow as my main trigger when scalping around my levels, which is also how I enter every trade. I use footprint charts with 17-tick range bars to spot aggressive buying or selling after absorption. Order flow is all about absorption—or the lack of it.
In a balanced environment, both longs and shorts can be of interest, while in a trending market I always lean toward setups in the direction of the trend, where it’s more forgiving to get away with a bad entry.
Generally, a market that holds within UT1 and DT1 allows for two-sided activity, while a break of either level can lead to more directional moves.
Both. The Renko chart I frequently share is flashing potential exhaustion. This isn’t a signal on its own, but rather an alert to pay attention to notable order flow activity.
Why 17-tick range bars specifically — have you compared it to 12 or 20-tick, and what difference did you find in the footprint readability? And When you say ‘balanced environment,’ what metrics do you use to determine that — volume distribution, volatility bands, or something else?
17-tick bars are my sweet spot for the current volatility—enough detail without too many bars printing. To determine the state of the market, I monitor whether the monthly, weekly, and daily timeframes are one-time framing or in balance. Currently, the monthly is OTFU, while both the weekly and daily are in balance, setting the stage for two-sided activity.
Thank you! Just discovered you and the newsletter. New to order flow as well. Been at this 8 years, 3 years with futures and levels have really helped me as I always struggle with entry. Also teaching me patiences.
As a new readers, I have one question. You mention acceptions of a level? What do you consider acceptions? Right now, when conditions are right I'm either going long or short utilizing the level and other confluences.
But I notice I get stopped out a lot. What do you consider acceptence where it may be safer to enter on that level? Understanding of course there is never a guarantee. But would love your input or advice keeping in mind I'm new to order flow.
Thanks Smash!
Is the detail on the right side new? "Last week value" and "This week value." I hadn't noticed it in other newsletters. Thanks for everything, Smash!
It was just for today, but it sparked a few ideas for future editions.
Any tips you can give for scalpers around your levels?
I rely on order flow as my main trigger when scalping around my levels, which is also how I enter every trade. I use footprint charts with 17-tick range bars to spot aggressive buying or selling after absorption. Order flow is all about absorption—or the lack of it.
In a balanced environment, both longs and shorts can be of interest, while in a trending market I always lean toward setups in the direction of the trend, where it’s more forgiving to get away with a bad entry.
Generally, a market that holds within UT1 and DT1 allows for two-sided activity, while a break of either level can lead to more directional moves.
Hi smash, do you also look at exhaustion? Or just absorption?
Both. The Renko chart I frequently share is flashing potential exhaustion. This isn’t a signal on its own, but rather an alert to pay attention to notable order flow activity.
Why 17-tick range bars specifically — have you compared it to 12 or 20-tick, and what difference did you find in the footprint readability? And When you say ‘balanced environment,’ what metrics do you use to determine that — volume distribution, volatility bands, or something else?
17-tick bars are my sweet spot for the current volatility—enough detail without too many bars printing. To determine the state of the market, I monitor whether the monthly, weekly, and daily timeframes are one-time framing or in balance. Currently, the monthly is OTFU, while both the weekly and daily are in balance, setting the stage for two-sided activity.
Thank you! Just discovered you and the newsletter. New to order flow as well. Been at this 8 years, 3 years with futures and levels have really helped me as I always struggle with entry. Also teaching me patiences.
As a new readers, I have one question. You mention acceptions of a level? What do you consider acceptions? Right now, when conditions are right I'm either going long or short utilizing the level and other confluences.
But I notice I get stopped out a lot. What do you consider acceptence where it may be safer to enter on that level? Understanding of course there is never a guarantee. But would love your input or advice keeping in mind I'm new to order flow.
Fueled by headlines? What headlines?
BREAKING: The Trump Administration is considering a plan to restrict globally produced exports to China made with or containing US software.