How To Trade Key Chart Levels in Forex

Today’s Forex trading lesson contains trading strategies that you can put to use immediately in the markets. We are going to discuss how to trade price action from key levels in the Forex market. Key levels occur in a variety of market scenarios, and we can combine these key market levels with simple price action strategies to obtain a high-probability trading strategy.

Key market levels are the core foundation of all technical analysis and price action trading. By focusing on the raw price dynamics and key levels in a market, we can remove the clutter and confusion that so many trading systems and strategies are full of, and instead trade from a clear and objective mindset. I cover all the concepts discussed in today’s article in greater detail in my trading course, as well as a plethora of other simple yet highly effective trading strategies.

Note: All charts in this lesson reflect the daily time frame.

Trading from support and resistance in trending markets

Trading with the dominant daily trend is the primary technique I use to trade the markets. Much of my course is dedicated to trend analysis and teaching traders to trade simple price action strategies in the context of a trending market. We can look for price action signals forming near levels of support and resistance that develop as a result of the natural ebb and flow of a trending market.

In the example chart below we have the daily GBPUSD showing about the last 4 months of data. What I have done here is simply drawn in the obvious key support and resistance levels and then highlighted the valid price action trade setups that formed near these levels. No magic or “robots” here, just simple common-sense trading using the natural dynamics and levels in the market:



Trading from support and resistance in range-bound markets

Unfortunately, the market is not always trending, in fact it’s often said that markets spend more time consolidating and moving sideways than they do in trending conditions. Fortunately, with knowledge of how to trade simple price action setups from key levels, we can effectively trade range-bound markets as well.

In the example chart below we see the daily EURUSD from about the end of May to mid September of this year. We can see an obvious trading range that developed in this period of time and some price action setups that formed off the support of the range. Note that just before the trading range finally broke out lower, a long-tailed pin bar formed that showed rejection of the interior of the range, once the low of this pin bar broke we saw a significant move lower. Trading ranges can be a bit erratic but if you watch the boundaries of them closely you will often see some solid price action signals form at the key support or resistance of the range.

Trading from swing points in trending markets

As a market makes new highs or lows it forms what I call “swing points” in the market, these are very important levels to watch because they essentially create new support or resistance. As such, a swing point does not need to be “confirmed” by multiple rejections of price in order to be considered a valid support or resistance level, rather the actual swing in the opposite direction itself creates a new level of support or resistance.

When we see price approaching a recent swing point we can be on alert for price action setups forming near it. A recent swing high will often act as support in an uptrend, and a recent swing low will often work as resistance in a downtrend. Let’s look at a chart to see this more clearly.

In the example chart below we see the daily EURUSD from about mid-August until now. We can see that price came down and found support near 1.3600 in mid-September. This swing point then became very important for the subsequent price action forming near it, acting both as support and resistance.

Trading from dynamic EMA support and resistance in trending markets

I use exponential moving averages (EMAs) on the daily charts to help with trend analysis and identification of dynamic support and resistance levels. For today’s lesson I am going to discuss how I use the daily 8 and 21 EMAs to highlight key levels in the market to trade price action from.

In the example chart below we have the daily EURUSD showing about the last 4 months of data. I have applied the daily 8 and 21 period EMA’s (applied to close) and then I simply watch for price action setups forming at the EMA levels or in between them, in the EMA “layer”, when the market is trending. When the EMA’s are crossed lower and diverging, we have downward momentum, and when they are crossed higher and diverging we have positive momentum. By simply looking for price action setups forming on the EMA levels or within their support or resistance layer, we can easily identify high-probability key levels to trade from.

Trading from event-area support and resistance levels

An event-area is a price level or zone that saw a price action signal form and then a large directional move or “event” occurs. These levels are obviously very significant and I discuss different ways to trade them in my price action trading course. But, for today’s lesson I am going to show you how to trade price action setups from event areas.

In the example chart below we have the daily XAUUSD (spot gold) chart showing about the last 4 months of data. We can see a good example here of an obvious event-area that formed through $1700.00 as price rejected this level multiple times forming well-defined pin bar strategies that subsequently set off significant directional moves. When you see an obvious price action signal that sets off a large move, you can then watch the level the price action signal formed at for future entries if price approaches it again, as these levels are obviously quite significant.

As you can see from the examples above, trading does not have to be complicated; you can learn to analyze the market and trade effectively by simply gaining knowledge of how to identify key market levels and price action setups. When we combine these two components we get a very high-probability and simple trading strategy that is also flexible enough to be applied to the ever-changing conditions we see in the Forex market each week.

We cover all the key market levels in the major Forex pairs in our daily members’ commentary each day. These ‘key levels’ are essentially the foundation to what I teach my students in my Forex trading course and members’ materials. I believe price action trade setups have a much higher probability of working out in our favor when we look for them at these confluent key levels in the market.

Also a quick reminder  – To Celebrate Christmas, This Month I’m Offering A Special 35% Discount On My Forex Trading Course, Live Trade Setups Forum and Daily Trade Setups Newsletter – For More Information Click Here.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW & CLICK THE TWEET, LIKE & SHARE BUTTONS BELOW.

Copyright – Learn To Trade The Market Author Nial Fuller

Nyoman L. said,

December 8, 2011 @ 8:57 pm

Comprehensive and excellent, as always. This kind of insights are always needed.

graham said,

December 8, 2011 @ 9:11 pm

Niall,
This is really the epitomy of successful 4X trading.In a nutshell,very simple,clear positive directions.
I truly believe that you have provided the most successful 4x trading training and i am really proud to be a disciple of your method and because of that my day job is in severe jeopardy.
thanks again for a great course and not to forget the excellent contributions from forum members.
Cheers GrahamD

Maurice said,

December 8, 2011 @ 9:20 pm

Excellent summary Nial

Greg said,

December 8, 2011 @ 9:51 pm

thanx Nial, an excellent reminder!!!!

Lionell Dixon said,

December 8, 2011 @ 9:51 pm

Thanks for todays lesson Nial. For as long as I’ve been studying your material I’ve gained knowlege that probably couldn’t been taught a better way not even by a professor from a university. Believe or not this site is actually a life changer for me. I appreciate your dedicated time and effort in helping traders to excel in the fx market.

Lucas said,

December 9, 2011 @ 12:17 am

I must say there is much learning in just by looking at the charts than placing trading it takes patients for one to know how to spot swing points and entry and exit points and eventually the whole thing becomes a part of you like a religion or something of sort you live breathe dream it until it becomes effortless thanks Nial

tim said,

December 9, 2011 @ 12:20 am

thanks always on point

ken said,

December 9, 2011 @ 12:26 am

hi nial,
just looking up the strategies you post online and the tutorials have change the way i look at trading.i look forword to joining you community very soon.
thank for this lecture.
ken

George said,

December 9, 2011 @ 12:27 am

I also appreciate your dedicated time & efforts in helping us traders excel.
Thanks Nials

Tony said,

December 9, 2011 @ 12:46 am

Great articles, thankyou.

Kav said,

December 9, 2011 @ 12:58 am

Thanks Niall. Although I don’t trade by your exact methods, your price action fundamentals is the basis of my trading philosophy.

Keith(from england) said,

December 9, 2011 @ 1:10 am

Hey Nial another great insight into how you trade. It seems so simple when you put it down like this – clutter free and logical. Since discovering you on you tube I have changed my whole strategy and mind set. Thanks to you I now know i’m on the right path.
Thank you.

Michael D said,

December 9, 2011 @ 1:28 am

Another very good lesson Nial. Simple, concise, clear and realistic/ practical.

Reza said,

December 9, 2011 @ 2:01 am

Clear, concise and complete. Super job, Nial!!

Zaida Khan said,

December 9, 2011 @ 3:12 am

Thank you very much for such a simple, comprehensive and easy lesson. From the bottom of my heart, i appreciate your dedication to impart the knowledge of forex trading to the newbi.

Well done

Steve20555 said,

December 9, 2011 @ 3:13 am

Its great to read your lessons, they make things so clear, and your course has helped me tremendously.
thanks Nial

SAMM said,

December 9, 2011 @ 3:57 am

This’s an excellent and unique article,tanks sir Nial for this insightful one.

Herb said,

December 9, 2011 @ 4:56 am

As always Nile…Thank you for the efforts you make on our behalf…I find the instruction most understandable and insightful. I trade a very small acct so have a harder time trading the daily charts, but I find the principles applicable to lower time frames after gleened from the day charts. Again thanks for your investment in our success.

Isah AA Bokuta said,

December 9, 2011 @ 5:05 am

You are an exllent teacher

henry said,

December 9, 2011 @ 6:25 am

thanx for ur wonderful support.

Andy said,

December 9, 2011 @ 7:58 am

I am amazed how you always simplfy trading while others try to complicate it!

Fran A. said,

December 9, 2011 @ 8:09 am

Brilliant! Thank you very much, for your dedication, your generosity, your clear way in plotting and explaning the important. Thanks, again.

Ramli said,

December 9, 2011 @ 2:54 pm

thanks n great trading guide.

cheers

QED said,

December 9, 2011 @ 4:06 pm

Thanx Nial, ive been asked to help people set up charts ,now I just give them ur site “well done and many thanx “

Wmwanikis said,

December 9, 2011 @ 5:28 pm

simple and very well explained. thanks Nial.

Craig said,

December 9, 2011 @ 7:10 pm

Thank you for all the effort you take to educate us Nial.You are a great mentor.

leonel said,

December 10, 2011 @ 11:14 am

Thanks, but i like to see it on video,is easy for me.

AMIN MALIK said,

December 10, 2011 @ 3:35 pm

Hi NIAL Your approach to ANALYZE the market is so simple
and logical, that, it has made the whole difference to my
trading.Thank you so much, for your dedicated efforts, to
help TRADERS at large. MAY GOD REWARD YOU!!!

THANKS & REGARDS, AMIN MALIK

bill presslor said,

December 11, 2011 @ 12:05 am

thank you for helping us with our trading

olajubbu said,

December 11, 2011 @ 1:40 am

You are a nice man .I like this article

Dorcas said,

December 11, 2011 @ 2:12 am

Indeed you really go by your vision learnig to Trade the market. since i have been reading your articles it has improved my discipline and knowledge. you are an ICON to be recon with to be successful in Forex trading. thanks

barry said,

December 11, 2011 @ 4:57 am

Hi Nial Great Lesson as always.

Im starting to use some price action techniques with Fib Levels which have been working well on the long term chart.

Larry H. said,

December 11, 2011 @ 8:32 am

Nial,

Thanks for this Christmas present. Hope Santa is half as nice to me! Larry

Mohammad Kavoshnia said,

December 11, 2011 @ 12:53 pm

Hi Nial,

A very useful and informative e-mail;thanks.

Anthony uche said,

December 11, 2011 @ 7:30 pm

This is amazing, wonderful writup, remaim blessed nial and merry christmas in advance.

Henry Supriyanto said,

December 12, 2011 @ 12:40 am

Thanks Nial…make me very clear…

isiakaoyeleke said,

December 12, 2011 @ 12:49 am

what a wonderful lesson for free of charge.May God bless u more

mahai said,

December 12, 2011 @ 6:51 pm

Just starting out and learning to “master” one method at a time. Thanks for your help. BTW, which method do you recommend to learn first? I am now trying to learn inside bars, but not sure if I should start there. Thanks again!

adewale said,

December 16, 2011 @ 11:18 pm

a brilliant effort by our exquisite mentor.Am greatful for your undiluted insight about tradethe market.

Gurpal said,

December 17, 2011 @ 10:48 am

Hi Nial,

Hope you are well. Thank you for another fantastic and awesome lesson.

Thank you for all your help

Thanks and Regards

Gurpal

Galen said,

December 19, 2011 @ 10:01 am

Good read Nial

ohuizu said,

December 20, 2011 @ 12:19 am

Hi Nial your website is great

eric said,

December 21, 2011 @ 5:41 pm

I do agree for that simplicity. Thanks nial for your valuable lesson all this time. I always wait for your great lesson. Thanks

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