trend line cover article

Drawing key levels is a core part of technical analysis.

The problem is the technique can be so confusing to newbies, because marking a them on a chart is very subjective!

It is mainly due to the amount of conflicting information out there, traders get really frustrated with getting the process right.

If you give two traders the same chart, and ask them to each plot a line – you will probably see two very different results.

In this guide, I am going to show you my way of drawing a trend line, and give you a demonstration on how I use them.

Guide Index

What Are Trend Lines Really Used For in Technical Analysis?

These guys are going to pop up in all your ‘chart analysis 101’ text book material.

Their basic function is to highlight linear support and resistance.

Quite often when the market is on the move (making new swing highs and lows), price will tend to respect a linear level – which we identity as a trend line.

Bullish markets will tend to create a rising linear support level…

trend line acting as support in bullish market

Notice how all the counter trend movements are terminating at this structure?

When they appear, we can use these lines to anticipate the next reversal point in the market, and look for bullish reversal signals there.

The opposite is true for  a bearish scenario…

tline as resistance

So obviously the bearish situation is just a role reversal .

Counter trend rallies terminate at clear line as it they as a linear resistance level. We can use it as an anticipate reversal point.

Therefore this common type of technical analysis involves inperpreting these lines as linear support and resistance.

When a line is broken, the market often can come back and re-test it as a new support or resistance level.

trend line resistance then support

Above: An example of one which once held as resistance is then respected as new support as the market pulls back down, and re-tests it.

What I’ve shown so far is the basic functions, but we can do a lot more with them. In the rest of the article, we will walk you through other trend line events such as…

  • Counter-trend breaks (flags)
  • Classic breakouts
  • Example of reversal signals at linear structures
  • Consolidation structures created (good and bad)

Checkpoint

The basic text book definition is a collection of swing highs or lows, that create a linear support or resistance level. They have many traders uses, and many strategies are developed around them.

How Do You Draw Trend Lines – The RIGHT Way?

Firstly, we need to cover a consistent rule-set to encourage (what I believe), is the correct way of identifying quality levels.

Most of the re hashed tutorials out there just instruct you to mark two swing highs or lows together… only two.

This is really crude advice, and can leave you the trader very confused to where to draw the damn line. Tips such as these set traders on the path to extreme over analysis.

Following the commonly preached text bool method (of only using two anchor points), opens up the door for hundreds of possibilities on one chart!

You don’t want that, you need better quality control… other wise you may end up with charts like this…

tline-overload

I know this is an extreme, and humorous example – but I think this guy has connected every two swing highs and lows together…

A line with only two anchor points really just an ‘unconfirmed’ level on your charts.

two anchor trend line

The example above shows a trend line marked with two swing lows as the anchor points. It is an aggressive, low quality way to go about it.

It is only really a catalyst which may turn into proper level – but at this stage it is just a pending line.

You can mark these pending lines if you think it is appropriate, and wait to see the line is respected again – but most of the time it is just going to clutter your charts, and skew your technical analysis.

The ‘trick’ to drawing quality lines is to use *3* clear anchor points… then you’ve got something worth occupying the real estate of your chart!

When I say anchor points, I mean swing lows or highs that line up in an obvious linear fashion.

3 anchor points to make a quality tline

See in the chart above, we used 3 swing points.

Using a minimum of 3 anchor points, we build a quality trend line that actually matters to technical analysis.

When you just use two anchor points, your level is basically ‘unclear’, or only partially constructed. You never know if you have it marked in the correct place.

The series of charts below will illustrate the frustration of someone who only uses 2 anchor points…

bad trend line 1

Seems legit, until…

bad tline 2

All of a sudden the market doesn’t respond as expect… better ‘adjust it’, yeah?

bad tline 3

OK, now I think I’ve got it…

bad tline 4

The comic shows the trader ‘chasing the line’. Which is frustrating and unproductive analysis.

Don’t waste your energy… use 3 anchor points. It’s much easier, and provides a confirmed trend line in the market.

Don’t chase price, mark what you can clearly see!

3 point bearish tline

Above: Using 3 swing highs rule. No more chasing our tail, three data points line up – we’ve got what we need.

4 hour perfect tline

Above: The more anchor points we have to build the line, the better – it just becomes more obvious and makes the trend line more significant!

Checkpoint

Most guides tell you to use two anchor points for plotting. This can leave you struggling with your charting, as you chase pairs of highs and lows looking for where a linear level is forming. To resolve this frustration, only mark the ones out clearly showing a line up of three clear anchor points.

Don’t Let Fake Outs Throw You Off

One thing that throws a lot of traders off, are false breakouts.

We won’t always get the perfect text-book scenario for our charting, false breaks do occur often – making a mess of our picture perfect idea of a trend line.

To ‘filter out’ the fake-outs, I use something which I call the common denominator approach.

The goal is to line up the common data points that create some obvious consistency, and just ‘makes sense’. Let me show an example…

cutting through fake outs

Above: We’ve drawn the  line that conforms well with the lows here in a consistent manner. We cut through the fake outs by basically ‘connecting the common dots’.

We can see how the level holds as support here well – the fake out creates an inconvenience we need just to slice straight through.

Let’s look at a bearish example…

bearish trend line with fake out

Lining up the common swing highs here for identification. The fake out becomes obvious when you work with the consistency of the market.

Marking these out isn’t an exact science, you’re just looking to mark out the general structure so you know when price approaches this important technical level.

Keep the process simple and obvious. If it isn’t obvious and you really struggle to line up the level – then it is probably not a structure level worth worrying about.

Checkpoint

When drawing and trading trend lines, fake outs may throw you off. Use the common denominator approach to connect swings highs or lows that line up in a linear fashion to plot the line. Just cut through any spikes and dismiss them as fake outs as shown in the examples.

Trend Line Reversal Trade Opportunities

Because we know they are anticipated to act as reversal points, we can target reversal trading signals here.

We use candlestick reversal patterns a lot for our trade setups, so we heavily focus on those.

bullish reversal signals off trend line

Here is a bullish market example with some candlestick reversal signals… 

We had a clear obvious structure here, which was holding nicely as a linear support.

It is only logical to target it for buying opportunities via bullish reversal patterns.

This chart had a bullish outside candle, and a bullish rejection candle (both reversal signals), form off off the level, communicating to us that the the trend line once again was holding as support.

Both trade setups worked out nicely

Check out the chart below…

bearish tl signal

Above is a nice bearish example, acting as resistance which did see a nice bearish reversal candlestick signal form off it.

The bearish rejection candle signals it was still being respected as resistance, and that we should expect lower prices to follow.

The setup produced a nice sell off!

It is just really simple, logical thinking – just the way I like my trade ideas.

You’ve got a linear line structure where you know price is expected to reverse. Simply combine that with a reversal signal to form your trade opportunity.

Checkpoint

Wait for bearish or bullish reversal signals to form off your level to signal that the market is going to respect it. Watch for bearish patterns on declining lines, and bullish patterns on rising lines.

Trend Line Breakouts!

We know so far these are key market structures with strong supportive and resistive properties. Whenever some form of market structure is broken, a violent breakout can occur.

A common strategy is to catch breakouts in trend line trading.

There are many ways to do this, but I prefer the ‘close confirmation’ method.

I recommend you wait for for a candle to break through, and close on the other side of the line before reading the situation as a breakout.

The reason for this is because price can often pierce through the line, but not close beyond it. These are known classically as ‘fake outs’, and are notorious around important structures.

Many traders get cremated by fake out events, because they are too ‘trigger sensitive’ and slam the buy, or sell button at the first sign of any kind of sign the market is breaking out.

breakout traders jump into

So we can see price breaking through the line here. Many breakout traders would jump on board this, mostly fueled by greed to try catch the breakout early… but this can come at an expensive cost.

The main point here is the candle hasn’t actually closed yet…

fake-out-occurs

In the chart above –  when the candle does finally close, it closes back under – revealing a breakout trap!

Those who were too quick to act have been ushered into a bad position. Now their money has been taken by the market, and flows into the pockets of more disciplined traders.

It is very common for trend lines to be temporarily broken by price, even by just a few pips – only to turn around in the opposite direction.

That’s why trading an ‘in the moment’ breakout is a risky strategy.

When you focus on the candle close, your chances improve of catching a true breakout.

t line close breakout

We can see if the pic above, the candle actually closed above the level, indicating a breakout is underway…

brekaout follow through

The market actually followed through with the breakout move!

This is a good example of waiting for the candle closes gives a much better read on the situation. Trading candles ‘on the fly’ is simply a dangerous game.

Checkpoint

When trading trend line breakouts, I recommend making your decisions on the candle closes. Generally the 4 hour chart is good for catching earlier breakout candle closes.

Channels

Channels are best described as two linear levels that run in parallel to one another.

They look like and sometime are referred to as ‘railway tracks’.

You can get rising, and falling channels.

A rising channel is made from linear higher highs, and higher lows.

channel structure

The two lines running in parallel create the support, and resistance of the channel structure. Like a ranging market, price bounces between these two lines and reversal signals can be picked off here.

The downward channel is made from two parallel descending lines, which line up lower highs and lower lows.

downward channel

Reversal signals can be targeted at the channel boundaries. We can see in the pick above that there were some reversal signals at the channel resistance.

They signaled continuation of the channel and were good trade opportunities.

Checkpoint

Channels are pretty easy, they are just line a ‘trend line sandwich’, created from price swings highs and lows. Target reversal signals at the boundaries. You can also target breakout trades when price moves outside the channel structure. Remember to wait for a close confirmation!

Price Squeeze Consolidation Structures

Linear levels can be used to highlight a consolidation pattern that I call a price squeeze.

It is a scenario where you get lower highs, and higher lows converge in on one another… creating a ‘squeeze’ scenario.

price squeeze

Notice how the higher lows and lower highs created two linear support and resistance levels that converge in on one another.

This ‘compression’ of price is a strong catalyst for a breakout. Generally when the market breaks, and closes outside the squeeze pattern – you get very strong moves.

bearish squeeze breakout

The above shows the bullish and bearish pressure tightening price into a squeeze, then forcing a breakout.

These patterns can breakout upwards, or downwards, so be prepared!

Checkpoint

Squeeze patterns are a catalyst for powerful breakouts in the market. They are basically created by two converging lines that force price into a compressed state, then… boom!

Watch Out for the Megaphone Pattern!

This pattern is the opposite of a squeeze pattern.

The megaphone is an expansion pattern which can be identified by two diverging lines.

Stock traders know this pattern as the ‘broadening top’, and it shows that the market is increasing in volatility – in an unstable kind of way.

Megaphone patterns are usually created by a market phase called distribution – where big traders are dumping their positions, and violent up and down swings occur.

You will see this pattern on your charts when the market creates higher highs AND lower lows.

megaphone chart pattern

Notice how the swings keep becoming larger apart as more and more volatility stacks into the market.

Checkpoint

Megaphone patterns are known more by stock market traders as a expanding volatility pattern. They show an increase in volatility on each advancing swing, and signal a change is on the way.

Flag Patterns (Counter Momentum Trend Lines)

The flag pattern is created mainly in a trending environment.

Flags appear when a counter-trend line forms against the prevailing trend momentum. The opposing trend line acts like a dam, holding back the main pressure…

down flag line

Above: See how the counter trend line backs up the trend pressure. It is the flag break you’re looking for here – a good trend continuation signal.

Flags really work the best in a clear trending environment, and show up more regularly on time frames like the h4 – h8 charts.

bullish flags

Above: Demonstrating the ‘dam wall’ effect here on a bullish market. The upward momentum encounters resistance in the form of a counter momentum line. Once the dam breaks, boom!

Checkpoint

Lines that form against the macro environment tend to create temporary ‘barriers’ in the core trend. Once the barrier is overcome by a breakout candle, the trend energy is release and the market continues.

Alerts With My MT4 Battle Station

The battle station is my an MT4 tool I made for those who are into price action trading, especially traders who use candlestick patterns, or Renko charts.

I have a ‘trend line’ filter added into the program that will basically alert you to any reversal patterns that form off any levels that you’ve drawn on your chart.

This can be useful if you’re waiting specially for a signal to form off technical points you’ve drawn on your chart…

trend line alerts mt5 and mt4

Above: I set the battle station to only be concern with reversal patterns it detects off levels I’ve drawn on the chart. Notice how it has highlights some reversal patterns at the levels by drawing the tan line through them (colors can be customized)

The battle station can be extra useful here as it will also alert you when it finds these patterns off your t- line.

The alerts come in 3 different ways so you don’t miss a trade:

  • Smart Phone Notification
  • Email Alerts
  • Metatrader Internal Program Pop-up Alerts

More information on the Battle Station: trend line alerts.

Checkpoint

My Battle Station program for MT4 can help scan for trade opportunities with trend lines. It can pick up reversal opportunities by flagging down candlestick reversal patterns that only form off lines you’ve drawn

Take Home Points From This Lesson

  • Trend line analysis can be very subjective – don’t fall into the over analysis trap
  • They act as linear support and resistance levels in the market
  • Use the 3 anchor points strategy to make sure you only draw quality lines
  • Use the common denominator method to ‘cut through’ fake outs when drawing trend lines
  • Price Action traders can target reversal candlestick patterns at well defined lines
  • Watch for when a candle closes beyond a clear line for breakout trade opportunities
  • Lines that run in parallel to each other create channel structures
  • Converging lines create price squeeze patterns – a potent breakout catalyst
  • Diverging lines create a high volatility pattern called the megaphone!
  • Trend lines that form against trend momentum can create the flag pattern (dam wall effect)
  • Watch for candles to close beyond the flag pattern as a trend continuation signal

Hopefully you’ve enjoy this tutorial!

In the comments below, please let me know what you thought, or if you would like me to expand on any of the topics discussed here.

If you would like to learn more about trading with trend lines using candlestick reversal, and candlestick breakout patterns – check out the war room for price action traders.

I wish you all the best on the charts!

Don’t forget to leave your comment 🙂

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62 Comments...


  1. default avatar

    Msizi Gcabashe

    Great article, its the way I have always drawn trendlines and wait for the candle close (but greed can get the better or you sometimes). Cannot believe I share the same methods with greats like you.

    1
    1. Replying to: Msizi Gcabashe

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  2. default avatar

    Justine Chongo

    It’s a great article I have on internet

    Cheers 🥂


  3. default avatar

    arkanintermedia

    Hai FX Guy, thank u for sharing this article with us, this realy heplfull


  4. default avatar

    Swervie

    Good brother, Thank you so much, today I make hundreds of dollars per week, because of everything you taught us on the articles and videos, you turned me into a big time successful trader. And I’m here right now just to review


  5. default avatar

    Kermit Ballon

    You should take part in a competition for one of the most interesting blog sites on the web. I would back your blog!. I ‘m interested in your posts, and have bookmarked the website so that I can check back for future updates. If you have a second check out my web site. It’s a work in progress, but i foresee that someday it will have nearly as good of subject matter as yours kelly kosky

    https://www.kellykoskyisafraud.com


  6. default avatar

    Chiazam Iheme

    Good day , do you feel it is better to take a trade on a breakout or the retest ?


  7. default avatar

    White Saint

    Very fantastic article. . . . . I will plead you add how to set TAKE PROFIT and STOP LOSS levels when trading with trendlines.

    Keep your good work up


  8. default avatar

    Rohit

    Very good article sir !
    when I complete it and made chart according to this it is so easy to prepare chart and also a very effective Thanks


  9. default avatar

    Le Thanh Tung

    The trend line should be at the top (bottom) of the candle or cut through the body

    1. Replying to: Le Thanh Tung

      default avatar

  10. default avatar

    Azwii

    Newbie trader


  11. default avatar

    Tarique

    Very nice ,useful to me, thanks a lot


  12. default avatar

    suresh thapa

    thank you so much for sharing this valuable material.I have been following youtube for longtime.I am soon planning to join your course.i have been practicing price action for 1.5 years mostly on demo but i am studying charts and books everyday.I am just confused what i am missing.


  13. default avatar

    CP

    Don’t you find that waiting for 3 points to define a trend you miss out on most of the trade

    1. Replying to: CP

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  14. default avatar

    Colin

    Ⅾo you mind if I quote a few of your ɑrticles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your wеbpage?
    My blog is in the very same niche as yourѕ and my viѕitoгs wօuld truly benefit from
    a lot of the information you present herе. Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Appгeciate it!


  15. default avatar

    Kenneth

    Clear and simple information. The kind that traders loved!


  16. default avatar

    Averil

    AWEWSOME!!!! Great information!!


  17. default avatar

    Themo

    Awesome article, by far the best i have read in relation to trend lines. Perfect!


  18. default avatar

    Thao

    Hi, I’m really new trader. I did use your lesson and it work. But to make money for living from forex still far away.
    Can you give me any tips how to read the currency movement
    I also trying robot but I don’t really know how it work
    Do you believe in them because every times I tried the robot always let me down
    Hopefully get some of useful advice from you. Thanks


  19. default avatar

    kelcie

    great article


  20. default avatar

    Ramo

    I have been struggling to use candlestick patterns. Now I know I should read them against support and resistance. That’s where they make sense. Your explanation on how to draw a proper trend line is invaluable. Thank you.


  21. default avatar

    Ralph Polanco

    Finally found someone that knows how best to explain this to newbies, where they can understand it. I appreciate it.


  22. default avatar

    Sharif Mohammad Ashik

    Outstanding experience gathers on easily. The number of indicators is huge. Each day new indicators are created and each day someone creates a new way to utilize existing indicators in a new manner. You have to use all indicators with common sense. You have to learn how to use them as they are not magic like Harry Potter’s rod.


  23. default avatar

    burhan akkaya

    that was awesome man I will try to learn mor efrom you thanks a lot


  24. default avatar

    TILA

    speechless ….. i must say sir …. thanks a great deal


  25. default avatar

    Gman

    Informative although I note on one of your “how to draw a TL” slides you have a bullish candle close on the other side of the TL, followed by a bearish candle closing back under the TL and you refer to this as a false breakout. In the breakout section you then advise for people to wait for the close of the candle!


  26. default avatar

    Peter Miller

    Thanks Dale, have just got around to reading this, with trend line drawing does it still work better with a 10/20 ems for following up and down moves or does the trend line work differently and separately
    Thanks again
    Peter


  27. default avatar

    Niks

    Hello Dale…..thank you very much for an excellent article. It is very crisp, to the point and covers very basic but mandatory information. All your analysis makes very much sense and goes in line with all your youtube videos…thanks a lot again.


  28. default avatar

    Ong

    Hi! Great write up and I hope i can pick up more useful trading skill and knowledge here. Thx Dale!


  29. default avatar

    Rizwan

    thank you sir for sharing your knowledge. I read your all articles .sir i need your fibonacci indicator.can you give me download link ?


  30. default avatar

    Munir Shah

    You are not just an expert trader. you also have professional teaching expertise.
    Thank You Sir.
    Respect from Pakistan


  31. default avatar

    biru

    thank you sir for your amazing system


  32. default avatar

    konstantin

    thanks for the article. professionally writed by you.


  33. default avatar

    Bernard

    In just one word: amazing!
    I love the way you illustrate your points, something several websites and blogs fail to do. This is the second article I have read on this site and I have found gems of factual and practicable tips on how to trade with confidence, and profitably. Thank you.


  34. default avatar

    james

    hi Dale, is there any point drawing trend lines on 1 hour tf? Or do you only focus on 4 hour/ daily? Thanks

    1. Replying to: james

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  35. default avatar

    bruno

    Good article! Learnt stuff today(dam wall effect). Great tool. U know ur onions!

    1. Replying to: bruno

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      Micheal

      Hey Dale this is awesome ad love that battle station hook me up


  36. default avatar

    krughan

    to the trading guy
    how can I thank you..

    everyone seems to be selling education material. I’m not against that but for eager newbies like myself thats on a shoe string buget that cannot trade successfully cannot afford to take.expensive courses will find your site a blessing .

    thank you so much for you time and expertise to create these documents ….. man, your site is gold, well. for me it is.

    thank you
    BullionTrades


  37. default avatar

    Denis

    Hvala Dale!
    Tvoja pomoc puno znaci svim pocetnicima!
    Hvala ti sto se toliko trudis!


  38. default avatar

    Rondell

    So many points. So much great advice. Thank you Dale for going out of your way for us. Thanks to you and this article, I learned that i am am the ‘trigger happy’ type doesn’t wait for things to setup fully before executing the trade. Ultimately I am right, but by the time things go the way I planned, I’ve already been stopped out of my trade three or four candles before. I was on the verge of sinking another demo account when this came through, and now after I read it, I will take my time, show some patience and with for the right time. (Easier said than done,) But It seems I need discipline, more than anything else.

    Thanks Dale. See you in the war room soon!


  39. default avatar

    Steve Epperson

    Light Bulb Alert! I just realized I was having trouble spotting trendlines and other structures on the daily charts because I was too close. Thanks to your article, I realized I had to zoom out to where it shows about six months worth of candles. DUH! Once I did that I could see everything I needed to. I’m not sure us recovering day traders (as a group) know to do that. May be worth mentioning later. Thanks again for your generous portion of training on trendline development.


  40. default avatar

    Vic Ferdinand

    Hi sir. What a fruitful session you’ve got here. By the way, do you perhaps have a pdf version of this lesson? I feel that it is a must for me to review your trendline lesson over and over but sometimes I’m unable to surf the internet. Thank you so much.

    1. Replying to: Vic Ferdinand

      default avatar

  41. default avatar

    Carlier

    As usual clear , well explained and very helpful. Thank you Dale.


  42. default avatar

    thehypocritecapitalist

    thank you for sharing your knowledge! This really helps a lot for newbies like me..


  43. default avatar

    Cho

    Amazing and crisp article on Trend line. Keep up the good work. Similarly, if you share your experience on other technical indicators e.g. momentum indicators, volumes it would be helpful.


  44. default avatar

    Rana Adnan

    Hey Dale! Been following you for a long time. I appreciate your effort for this helping material. I have a question, is it necessary for a trader to enter a trenline break only when price tests the back of trendline as a role reversal level and create a bullish/bearish candlestick pattern. Usually it is said that if trendline break is confirmed just enter, but in most cases it stops me at breakeven or may be i was aiming a higher targets. Thanks!!

    1. Replying to: Rana Adnan

      default avatar

  45. default avatar

    Valdi

    Very informative rehearsal about what works in charting, thanks.


  46. default avatar

    Gideon

    Exellent and eyes opener article .Thank you for the Job welldone


  47. default avatar

    vincent foo

    yes,great sharing,thank you
    cheers

    vincent foo


  48. default avatar

    vincent foo

    yes,great knowledge,thank you n appreciate. simple and easy to understand.
    cheers

    vincent foo


  49. default avatar

    Paul

    Another string to my bow! Great read and easy to understand the way it’s been explained.


  50. default avatar

    Robert

    Hey Dale
    Great concise lesson on trend lines and channels.
    They can be plotted absolutely everywhere, as nearly all price action can be accommodated in some shape or form, even blow offs can be contained by channels and lines.
    I love them.
    Great lesson and insights bruv.
    And they don’t cost anything to use either.
    regards
    Robert


  51. default avatar

    John

    Hi Dale
    I am interested on your forex trend lines with alert . How much is this?
    I am concentrating in forex breakouts now in 4hr time frame

    Thanks
    John


  52. default avatar

    Diamond

    Thank You, Dale!
    I especially like your manner of training.
    These funny pictures are very fun, cheer and teach.


  53. default avatar

    Sinethemba Magwala

    That’s a great article. I will be using the tips from it from now. ☺????


  54. default avatar

    Boon Ong

    I like how you explained clearly on the trendline, especially the breakout, 3 anchor points and the wait for candles to close first.

    Many thanks for the great advise.


  55. default avatar

    Norbert Harisch

    Thanks a lot for this very constructive article – and also for your general service. The best, one can find regarding price action trading.

    Norbert

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