Trend Trading vs. Counter-Trend Trading

Many traders, believe it or not, aren't aware of what we're about to discuss here. Most absolute beginner traders try to catch tops and bottoms in the market, not even trying to trade the TRENDS. We, like many other traders first starting attempted to do the same thing. We know this from not only our own personal experiences, but by teaching and talking to tens of thousands of traders that they tend to do the same thing.
Many (if not most) traders feel that by trying to catch a market top or bottom is where the real money is. We on the other hand disagree completely. Catching just a little piece of a trend (and sometimes much larger than a little piece) adds up, not to mention easier (higher percentages) to do than trying to catch a top or bottom in the market. So, we thought by including this topic; Trend Trading vs. Counter-Trend Trading would be very helpful to you. We know this will give you more insight into both of these types of trades.

Let us first start out by saying that at least 80% of your trades should be those trading with the TREND (as taught in this Course - 'Trend Determination', etc.). The other remaining 20% or so can constitute COUNTER TREND (CT) trades. We would highly suggest concentrating more (at least in the beginning) on the TREND trades as opposed to trying to pick tops and bottoms (CT trades). By not only teaching, but by speaking with students, especially beginners, we find that most traders simply just try to pick tops and bottoms as opposed to trying to enter the market with the (overall) TREND.

We'll go as far as to say you probably will not become a successful trader by trying to pick tops and bottoms when you first start off trading. Counter-Trend (CT) trading takes a lot more experience. Believe us when we say that you'll not only find trading less stressful, but much more rewarding and profitable if you simply stick to trading with a markets (overall) TREND. Look to make consistent profits utilizing the profit objectives (PO's) taught in this Course -- and of course you'll occasionally catch the bigger move (by utilizing the 'Trailing Stop' methods taught in this Course).

Of the 20% or so of trades that may become COUNTER TREND (CT) trades, 80% of those trades should be BUYS. Why Buys? Simply put, because we've found that BOTTOMS are much easier to pick than tops. If you think about it, the psychology of most traders are more biased to buying the market as opposed to selling the market as a whole. Traders in general seem to be more optimistic rather than pessimistic on the overall market. We've spoken to thousands of traders that have expressed to us that they feel more comfortable buying the market as opposed to selling it. We know that sounds ridiculous, and we agree, but many (if not most) traders, believe it or not, feel this way. That's one of the reasons why bottoms seem to be easier to pick than tops - traders are more prone to Buy than they are to Sell.

Think about it, how many stock traders do you know that actually sell a stock short? Not many, most stock traders buy stocks in anticipation of higher prices. When the market gets extremely oversold and drops to levels where the big money comes in to Buy the market (oftentimes at a 5%, 10% & 15% overall market corrections), you'll oftentimes see the market move higher (spike up) and continue the markets (stocks) overall UPTREND .
When the market is in a DOWNTREND, the market not only drops three times quicker than it rises (making it much more volatile), but bottoms are put in place much quicker. This is evident in any chart you look at. On the other hand, when the market is trending up, the market generally moves much slower and much more gradual in nature. Therefore, trying to find market tops are much more difficult to do, at least that's been our personal experience.

So, when attempting to BUY on a Retest of a Low (important), the market is generally in a Downtrend, and when attempting to SELL on a Retest of a High (important), the market is generally in an Uptrend. By knowing these two simple rules will help make Counter-Trend trading much more predictable in nature, rather than trying to BUY when the market is in a free-fall, or trying to SELL when the market is going to the moon. At most, these rules will help prevent you from jumping in front of a freight train.

Therefore, I suggest waiting for a RETEST OF A HIGH before looking to go Sell Short. Conversely, wait for a RETEST OF A LOW before looking to go Long. Remember, Counter-Trend trades should only constitute roughly 20% or so of your trades. As mentioned before, CT trades are definitely more difficult than trading with the markets overall TREND.

A General Rule Of Thumb: When a market is Trending Up, the market tends to be a lot less volatile than when a market is Trending Down. Therefore, generally speaking a Down Trending market is much more volatile than when a market is trending up. A market falls roughly three times quicker than it rises.