Marking swings without drowning in noise
A swing is a decision point, not every zigzag on a lower timeframe.
- structure
- swings
Traders often over-mark because they fear missing a turn. The cost is a chart covered in lines that never invalidate anything. Start by choosing one working timeframe for structure and one lower timeframe only for entry refinement.
A useful swing has room: neighbouring candles should not immediately erase it. If a high is tagged and reclaimed within a few bars without expansion, treat it as noise until a clearer extreme prints.
Write the rule you will actually follow. Vague language such as “obvious swing” fails under pressure. Clear language—“last high before a multi-candle impulse”—survives review.
In Foundations workshops we spend half a day only on marking, because every later concept depends on that discipline.