Ch. 15Strategy #572

Strategy #572

Structure Break with Momentum

Entry Logic

  • Entry trigger: Price breaks a key market structure level with a sharp increase in momentum, as measured by the RSI or MACD.
  • Confirmation: The RSI crosses above 70 (or below 30) on the breakout.
  • Timeframe: 15-minute chart.
  • Location context: At a key support or resistance level.
  • Market condition: Any.

Exit Logic

  • Profit target: A measured move of the previous range.
  • Scaling out: 50% at 2R.
  • Trailing stop: Trail below the 15-minute 20 EMA.
  • Signal failure exit: Exit if price re-enters the broken structure.
  • Opposite signal exit: Not applicable.
  • Time expiration: Exit if the trade is not profitable within 2 hours.
  • Momentum loss: Exit if momentum diverges.

Stop Loss Structure

  • Hard stop: Below the low of the breakout candle.
  • Soft stop: Not used.
  • Max dollar loss: $150 per trade.
  • Max percent loss: 0.75% of account.
  • Structural stop: The breakout level.

Risk Management Framework

  • Risk per trade: 0.5% of account.
  • Daily limit: 2 losing trades.
  • Weekly limit: 4% drawdown.
  • Max drawdown: 12%.
  • R:R requirement: Minimum 2:1.

Position Sizing Model

  • Sizing approach: Fixed fractional sizing.
  • Volatility adjustment: Standard sizing.
  • Conviction sizing: Full size for A+ setups.
  • Scaling in: Not recommended.
  • Scaling out: At 2R.

Trade Filtering

  • Market conditions to avoid: Low-momentum markets.
  • Setups required: A clear structure break with a momentum spike.
  • Instruments: Any liquid instrument.
  • Time restrictions: High-volume sessions.
  • Chop/news avoidance: Avoid around news.

Context Framework

  • Trend direction: The breakout defines the new trend direction.
  • VWAP relationship: The breakout should be away from the VWAP.
  • MA relationship: The MAs should be starting to align with the breakout.
  • Range location: Breaking out of a range.
  • Higher TF alignment: The higher timeframe should support a new trend.

Trade Management Rules

  • Breakeven: Move to breakeven at 1.5R.
  • Scale out: At 2R.
  • Add size: Not applicable.
  • Fast vs slow moves: Expect a fast move after the breakout.

Time Rules

  • Optimal window: Any high-volume session.
  • Times to avoid: Low-volume periods.
  • Session notes: Momentum is the key to this strategy.

Setup Classification

  • A+ criteria: A massive momentum spike on the breakout of a major level.
  • A criteria: A clear momentum spike on the breakout.
  • B criteria: The momentum is only slightly above average.
  • C criteria: The breakout is on low momentum.

Market Selection Criteria

  • Instruments: Any liquid instrument.
  • Volume: Not a primary factor.
  • Volatility: Expanding.

Statistical Edge Metrics

  • Win rate: 50%.
  • Avg win: 3.5R.
  • Avg loss: 1R.
  • Profit factor: 1.75.
  • Expectancy: 0.75R per trade.

Failure Conditions

  • The breakout is a false breakout.
  • The breakout lacks follow-through.

Psychological Rules

  • Requires acting quickly on the breakout.
  • Requires trust in momentum as a leading indicator.

Advanced Components

  • Regime detection: Use momentum-based indicators to confirm the regime shift.
  • Filters: Not necessary.
  • Correlation: The breakout should be confirmed by the broader market.
  • MTF alignment: The higher timeframe should support a new trend.

Location

  • Strongest: After a period of low-momentum consolidation.
  • Weakest: In a market with no clear momentum patterns.