Strategy & Risk

Short-duration momentum scalps on XAUUSD. A+ conviction or no trade.

Core Playbook

  • Short-duration scalps: in–out quickly, minutes not hours.
  • Momentum plays first: trade with impulse after a clean structure shift.
  • Conviction filter: only take A+ setups that meet all criteria.
  • Market: XAUUSD only. Timeframes M1–M15 with HTF context (H1/H4).
  • Sessions: London open, NY open, and the overlap.

Risk Framework

  • Fixed risk per trade; hard stop always in place.
  • Strict daily loss cap; stop trading if hit.
  • No revenge trading. No adding to losers.
  • News filter for high-impact releases.
  • Size scales with clarity of momentum + structure.

Momentum Setup (Primary)

  • Shift: break of micro-structure (BOS/CHOCH) with displacement.
  • Fuel: clear liquidity taken first (stop run/sweep) to free path.
  • Trigger: continuation candle close or refined retest into imbalance/mitigation.
  • Invalidation: precise price level that negates the thrust.

High-Conviction Variant

  • HTF bias aligned with LTF impulse.
  • Confluence from session timing + liquidity map.
  • Cleaner path to target with minimal opposing structure.
  • Execution upgrade: may allow partial add only after progress + reduced risk.

Trade Management

  • First scale-out at logical liquidity/imbalance fill.
  • Move stop to breakeven after displacement + partials.
  • Let a runner work only if momentum remains intact.
  • Flatten early if momentum dies or structure reverts.

Objective is tight time-in-market and protecting equity while harvesting the impulse.

Execution Checklist

  • HTF bias aligned?
  • Liquidity taken in the intended direction?
  • Clear structure shift with displacement?
  • Defined invalidation and target path?
  • News risk acceptable? Daily cap intact?
  • A+ conviction? If not, skip.

FAQ

  • “Short trades”? Refers to short duration scalps — quick momentum captures.
  • Holding time? Typically minutes; exits on momentum fade or target.
  • Number of trades? Quality over quantity — varies by session conditions.

Principles

  • Process over outcome.
  • Conviction over activity.
  • Data-driven reviews and journaling.