Thanks smash. Your daily and weekly insights have been a massive help to my trading journey. Your levels have been ridiculously spot on and couldn’t agree more with Steve’s post.
Order flow is primarily about absorption—or the lack of it—which shows how buyers and sellers are interacting at key levels on the chart. Understanding this is essential for timing entries and exits, gauging market sentiment, and spotting potential reversals.
A key principle I follow is to always wait for notable order flow activity before entering a trade. For example, if I spot absorption, I look for an opposite aggressive response before considering a trade—it’s better to be slightly late with confirmation than early without it.
Contextual awareness is equally important: by considering the broader market context, you can identify areas where it may not be ideal to initiate trades. These are the areas where observing absorption and potential reversals is most valuable. For instance, today’s FUT at 6882 is not a level I would chase longs, making it a potential area to consider a short setup. Review the order flow activity from today’s test of the full-session VWAP slightly below 6882, about four minutes into the session—heavy aggressive selling stepped in, providing a scalp opportunity.
Resources on order flow are unfortunately limited and often filled with noise, so the most effective approach is to focus on activity around key reference points. A useful exercise is to review past reversals, breakouts, and continuation sequences to see how they appeared from an order flow perspective—this helps you recognize similar patterns in real time.
Always look forward to your weekly reviews! In figure 1, are those range bars? And if so, what size are you using and which type? I've recently moved over to Sierra and not sure which type of range bars to use for my footprint for my intraday trades.
There's so many haha. True, standard, new gap, etc etc etc. On previous platforms I was using Range(20), but it never specified which type.
Hi Smash. First of all a big thank you for your curated work and your generous help: free institutional grade ES_F analysis and trading plan.
I admit that today was yhe first time that I sat in front of the computer and which the Fixed range volume profile tool I draw every singleday and week, while I was reading your newsletter, to understand what you're saying. In fact I went back weeks and I draw the 5 weeks balanced period for the first time in my life.
Is very interesting how long in time you check the ES_F charts.
Anyway, the more I follow your writings the more I get the pulse of the ES_F world.
Have a nice Sunday evening and successful trades.
p.s. The US and Chinese government has somewhat of an agreement...maybe that will affect positively today's opening.
Thank you for all your hard work. Absolutely flawless IMHO. Wouldn't day trade without your daily guidance. Awesome!
Thank you—much appreciated!
Thanks Smash!!
🤝
THE BEST WEEKLY PLAN!
Thanks smash. Your daily and weekly insights have been a massive help to my trading journey. Your levels have been ridiculously spot on and couldn’t agree more with Steve’s post.
🙏🏻
Smash I would appreciate any advice with regards to order flow. I feel there’s more information to provide better entries and exits.
Order flow is primarily about absorption—or the lack of it—which shows how buyers and sellers are interacting at key levels on the chart. Understanding this is essential for timing entries and exits, gauging market sentiment, and spotting potential reversals.
A key principle I follow is to always wait for notable order flow activity before entering a trade. For example, if I spot absorption, I look for an opposite aggressive response before considering a trade—it’s better to be slightly late with confirmation than early without it.
Contextual awareness is equally important: by considering the broader market context, you can identify areas where it may not be ideal to initiate trades. These are the areas where observing absorption and potential reversals is most valuable. For instance, today’s FUT at 6882 is not a level I would chase longs, making it a potential area to consider a short setup. Review the order flow activity from today’s test of the full-session VWAP slightly below 6882, about four minutes into the session—heavy aggressive selling stepped in, providing a scalp opportunity.
Resources on order flow are unfortunately limited and often filled with noise, so the most effective approach is to focus on activity around key reference points. A useful exercise is to review past reversals, breakouts, and continuation sequences to see how they appeared from an order flow perspective—this helps you recognize similar patterns in real time.
Appreciate the support, Simon!
Always look forward to your weekly reviews! In figure 1, are those range bars? And if so, what size are you using and which type? I've recently moved over to Sierra and not sure which type of range bars to use for my footprint for my intraday trades.
There's so many haha. True, standard, new gap, etc etc etc. On previous platforms I was using Range(20), but it never specified which type.
Appreciate the support, and welcome to Sierra! Yes, I currently use Range Per Bar - Standard (in ticks): 16
Literally the best content on volume profile / order flow / market profile on the internet. Thank you for everything you do, smash!!!!
Appreciate the support!
Hi Smash. First of all a big thank you for your curated work and your generous help: free institutional grade ES_F analysis and trading plan.
I admit that today was yhe first time that I sat in front of the computer and which the Fixed range volume profile tool I draw every singleday and week, while I was reading your newsletter, to understand what you're saying. In fact I went back weeks and I draw the 5 weeks balanced period for the first time in my life.
Is very interesting how long in time you check the ES_F charts.
Anyway, the more I follow your writings the more I get the pulse of the ES_F world.
Have a nice Sunday evening and successful trades.
p.s. The US and Chinese government has somewhat of an agreement...maybe that will affect positively today's opening.
I went from 200 to 1.7k down 500 from Friday 1.2k left hoping Monday will be bullish at open take profits guys!