Support: This is the price level where a downtrend can pause or reverse. It occurs when buyers are expected to step in and push the price upward. Resistance: This is the price level where an uptrend can pause or reverse. It occurs when sellers are expected to step in and push the price downward.
Key tip: The more times the price touches a particular level and reverses, the stronger the support or resistance. 2. Locate Significant Highs and Lows
Support: Look for the lowest points where the price has previously bounced. These are the bottoms where price failed to drop further. Resistance: Look for the highest points where the price has previously been unable to break through. These are the tops where price failed to rise further.
Key tip: You want to find significant turning points — areas where price made a sharp reversal. 3. Use Horizontal Lines to Mark Levels
Support: Draw a horizontal line along the most recent low or lows where price reversed or consolidated. This will mark the support zone. Resistance: Draw a horizontal line along the most recent high or highs where price reversed or faced rejection. This will mark the resistance zone.
Key tip: You can use multiple points to validate a support or resistance level. If a price has touched and reversed at the same level multiple times, it becomes more reliable. 4. Adjust for Areas (Zones, Not Just Exact Price Points)
Often, support and resistance are not exact price points but zones where price action tends to cluster. For example, if a stock often bounces between $100 and $105, you might draw a support level around $100-105 rather than at one specific price.
Key tip: Consider the range of price movement around these levels. Drawing the lines as zones can provide more flexibility for trading. 5. Look for Volume Confirmation
High trading volume near a support or resistance level adds strength to the level. A breakout or breakdown accompanied by high volume suggests that the level is more significant.
Key tip: Pay attention to volume spikes when the price approaches key support or resistance levels. This may indicate that a breakout or breakdown is imminent. 6. Dynamic Support and Resistance
These levels are not always static. Trends can create dynamic support (in uptrends) or dynamic resistance (in downtrends), where support or resistance is aligned with trendlines or moving averages.
Key tip: In trending markets, you can use tools like trendlines or moving averages (like the 50-day or 200-day moving average) to spot dynamic support and resistance. 7. Check for Price Patterns
Price patterns such as triangles, channels, or head-and-shoulders can also help you identify key support and resistance zones.
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