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• When markets pullback from the trend consider trading retracements
• Traders can time entries at support and resistance using oscillators
• Manage risk over previously market swing highs or lows

Scalpers have a variety of choices when it comes to an execution strategy. This decision should be decided after carefully evaluating current market conditions for the currency pair of their choosing.

Today to continue the Definitive Guide to Scalping, we will focus on trading retracements and pullbacks in price from the primary trend.

Learn Forex – USDCHF retraces in a downtrend



Trading a Retracement

As a retracement trader our first task is to identify the trend. This can be done through a variety of methods mentioned in the 2nd installment of the Definitive Guide to Forex Scalping. In the event that price is trending downwards, retracement traders will look to sell the market after price retraces, which means the market has moved temporarily against the primary trend. Likewise in the event that price is trending upwards, traders would wait for prices decline before buying towards a higher high. Above we can see a series of retracements on the USDCHF currency pair offering selling opportunities.

Once a retracement is found, it’s time to begin planning where to enter the market. The easiest way to do this is to place entry orders near a converging level or either support (to buy in an uptrend) or resistance (sell in a downtrend). Below we have an example of this technique in practice. Displayed you can see resistance in the form of a trendline as well as a 78.6% Fibonacci retracement line. Traders can look to sell the market at this point near .9035. Risk should be monitored above resistance to close positions in the event of a price breakout, and finally profit targets should be set towards lower lows.

Learn Forex – USDCHF Support & Resistance



Retracements with Oscillators

Traders can also choose to enter retracements through the use of an oscillator. Similar to trading a range should wait for price to reach a key level of support or resistance prior to considering an entry. Once this occurs, traders can turn to an indicator such as MACD, CCI, or RSI to time their entry. In a downtrend, such as the $USDCHF example depicted above, traders will wait for momentum to return to the downside prior to entering in the market.

Trading with an oscillator can potentially help trader’s better find market momentum returning back in the direction of the primary trend. Below we can again see the USDCHF 30 minute chart, but this time the RSI indicator has been added to the graph. Price has moved off of resistance, but oscillator traders will wait for RSI to close below an overbought value prior to entering into the market. Once a trade is placed we should again evaluate our positions exits. Even when trading with a confirming oscillator a stop should be used!

Learn Forex – USDCHF & RSI Oscillator



Overall, trading retracements is an exciting way to approach scalping. It should be noted however that retracement trading is all about timing and may not be for everyone! The key to retracement strategies starts with becoming comfortable at pinpointing pullbacks in the market and managing risk appropriately.