Understanding Trading Targets and Timeframes

Feb 26, 2025

Lecture Notes: Targets, Mirrors, and Timeframes

Overview

  • This lesson focuses on the concept of "targets" and "mirrors" within the context of trading strategies.
  • The discussion includes understanding the role of "masters," how they control targets, and the concept of Pandora's box in trading.

Key Concepts

Masters and Controllers

  • Masters: These are key timeframes which set the parameters for analysis (e.g., daily, hourly).
  • Controllers: Masters act as controllers by determining the flow and control of targets.
  • Timeframes: Understanding which timeframe to use is crucial for predicting where a range might break.

Targets and Mirrors

  • Targets: Represent a hit timeframe on the top and a corresponding target on the bottom.
    • Requires creating a mirror to proceed with trade entries.
  • Mirrors: Used once targets are set; essential for understanding trade direction.

Timeframe Compression

  • Process of moving from higher timeframes (daily) to lower (hourly) within Pandora's box.
  • Pandora's Box: State where timeframes compress from daily to hourly, indicating potential breakdowns or continuations.

Strategies

Entering Trades

  • Targets vs. Mirrors: Determine whether to enter based on targets or mirrors.
    • Targets: Look for target-to-target movements.
    • Mirrors: Essential for determining whether levels should hold.

Ladder Points and Hold Levels

  • Ladder Points: Opt for these when a target hasn’t been reached.
  • Hold Levels: Used once in a Pandora's box scenario; target has been hit and mirrored.

Trade Execution

  • Enter trades at defined levels, considering where targets and mirrors align.
  • Using smaller timeframes effectively to find entry points (e.g., 15-minute origins, hourly targets).

Practical Application

Identifying Scenarios

  • Pandora's Box: Confirmed when mirrored targets exist on both sides, signaling to use hold levels.
  • Non-Pandora's Box: Absence of mirrored targets indicates searching for ladder points and break levels.

Analyzing Charts

  • Use replayer tools to visualize timeframe compression and target hits.
  • Identify where breakdowns occur through time frame analysis (e.g., daily, four-hour, hourly levels).

Conclusion

  • Understanding the dynamic between targets and mirrors helps in predicting market moves and making informed trade decisions.
  • The goal is to simplify the decision-making process based on whether a Pandora’s box exists and the use of appropriate levels (hold vs. ladder points).