🟡 WYCKOFF–SMC RANGE STRATEGY TRADING PLAN
(Optimized for Gold & Major FX pairs on the 15-minute timeframe)
Market Framework: Identify the Environment
Goal: Decide if we are in a ranging or trending market before doing anything.
- Check 1H chart → draw clear support & resistance (at least 2 touches each side).
- Confirm 15m structure → price oscillating inside those levels = range confirmed.
- Volume check: Low–moderate volatility = good; strong impulsive moves = avoid (that’s a trend).
- Wyckoff context:
- Accumulation or Distribution = range → ✅ trade it.
- Markup or Markdown = trend → ❌ skip mean-reversion; switch to breakout logic later.
Range Mapping: Set Your Battlefield
Goal: Define where price is likely to bounce or reverse.
| Zone | Meaning | How to mark |
|---|---|---|
| 🟩 Support (Demand) | Range bottom | Use last swing low, bullish OB, or liquidity sweep zone. |
| 🔴 Resistance (Supply) | Range top | Use last swing high, bearish OB, or liquidity sweep zone. |
| ⚫ Equilibrium / Mean | Mid-point of range | 50% of total range height; target area for mean-reversion trades. |
✅ You’ll only enter at the edges (Support/Resistance).
The middle is where you take profit, not open positions.
Entry Logic: Wait for Smart Money Confirmation
Goal: Only trade when institutions have shown their hand.
🔹 Buy Setup (at Support)
- Price sweeps liquidity below support (EQL or prior swing).
- Bullish OB or FVG forms within that area.
- CHoCH/BOS occurs to the upside on 5m.
- Enter on candle close or refined OB entry.
🔹 Sell Setup (at Resistance)
- Price sweeps liquidity above range top (EQH or prior swing).
- Bearish OB or FVG forms.
- CHoCH/BOS to downside on 5m.
- Enter short on candle close or refined OB entry.
Trade Management: Protect Capital, Lock Profit
| Action | Rule |
|---|---|
| Stop-loss (SL) | Always beyond the swept liquidity or OB extreme. |
| Take Profit 1 (TP1) | Mid-range / equilibrium (≈ 1:2 R:R). |
| Take Profit 2 (TP2) | Opposite edge of the range (≈ 1:3–1:4 R:R). |
| Move to BE | After TP1 hit or after BOS in your favor. |
| Risk per trade | 0.5–1.0% max. Never exceed 1%. |
| Max concurrent trades | 2–3 only; avoid over-exposure. |
Session Timing: When to Trade
| Session (PHT) | Behavior | Strategy Mode |
|---|---|---|
| 6 AM – 9 AM | End of NY → Asia open | Ideal: liquidity reset & range formation |
| 7 AM – 1 PM (Asian) | Low volatility, sideways | ✅ Mean-reversion mode active |
| 3 PM – 5 PM (London open) | Breakout from range | ⚠️ Exit range trades; switch to trend logic |
| 8 PM – 12 AM (NY) | Trend continuation | ❌ Avoid range setups |
💡 Trade the range during Asia, trade the breakout during London.
- 6 AM – 9 AM (Pre-Asia / Late NY): Post-NY reset often sets up clean early range zones.
- 7 AM – 1 PM (Asian Session): Best time for mean reversion. Price respects levels; Smart Money accumulates or redistributes.
- 1 PM – 3 PM: Transition toward London; slight expansion — trade smaller or manage partials.
- 3 PM – 12 AM (London & NY): Breakouts dominate — range setups usually fail.
Why Asia Works: Low volatility = smoother structure, fewer fakeouts, and clean mean reversion toward equilibrium. Strong fit with Wyckoff accumulation/distribution.
⚡ Pro Tip: Trade the Asian range, then wait for the London breakout — never both.
Risk & Psychology Rules
- Only 1–2 high-quality trades per session.
- If 3 consecutive losses → stop trading for the day.
- Don’t chase mid-range price; only act at POIs (range edges).
- Log every trade with a screenshot & note if it was a clean range, sweep, or breakout.
- Focus on process > profit — following this checklist strictly produces consistency.
Example Trade Flow
Pair: XAUUSD 15m
Phase: Accumulation range (Asian session)
- Identify support 4 085, resistance 4 160, mean 4 120.
- Price sweeps below 4 085 → prints bullish OB → CHoCH up on 5m.
- Enter long at 4 090, SL 4 075, TP1 4 120, TP2 4 160.
- Once 4 120 hit → move SL to BE; hold partial to 4 160.
✅ Clean 1:3 R:R mean-reversion trade.
Transition Rule
When a clean BOS above or below the range boundary occurs with volume:
→ Range mode OFF
→ Switch to trend-following Wyckoff-SMC breakout mode (markup/markdown trading).
✅ Quick Reference Card
| Component | Setting |
|---|---|
| Structure TF | 1H |
| Execution TF | 15 m |
| Trigger TF | 5 m |
| Session (PHT) | 6 AM – 1 PM |
| Risk per trade | 0.5–1.0% |
| TP levels | Mid-range & opposite edge |
| SL placement | Beyond liquidity sweep |
| R:R Target | 1:2 – 1:4 |
| Bias filter | Trade only in accumulation/distribution (sideways) |
