trepidation 

So is the reason why you only trade the morning session and sometimes only the beginning part is because that's where you expect there to be consistent volatility? One thing I noticed is that later in the afternoon there are bursts of momentum that seem amazing in hindsight, but are very difficult to catch. Also, I assume that means if there isn't a move in the morning, you'll just skip trading that day? Thanks!

I mostly trade between 9:30 am est and 12 PM. I do sometimes trade the afternoon if it is moving well. I often will set price alerts at certain levels and if I hear them go off, I'll take a look. Also, if my Tickstrike indicator starts really going off, I also will monitor what is happening. From my experience, NQ moves best for my system between 9:35 am to 10:10 am. Then it can get choppy. Sometimes at 10:20 there is a push. Also 11 am and 11:20 am are often times when a move comes out of nowhere. Why it happens at those times I'm not really sure. Sometimes 12:20 pm is good too.

My understanding is that the market open is where there is "dumb" money or orders that must be filled regardless of technical analysis or levels enter the market which is why volatility and momentum are high. Then towards the end of the morning session is lunch time for the big bois. Though, it's interesting you're saying that the second move occurs an hour before noon. I always thought it occurred just before noon, but I never bothered to crunch the numbers.

trepidation 

My understanding is that the market open is where there is "dumb" money or orders that must be filled regardless of technical analysis or levels enter the market which is why volatility and momentum are high. Then towards the end of the morning session is lunch time for the big bois. Though, it's interesting you're saying that the second move occurs an hour before noon. I always thought it occurred just before noon, but I never bothered to crunch the numbers.

Well, when an instrument moves 100's of ticks..and you catch good portions of the moves on a daily basis..it's hardly "Dumb money." Only the people with "huge money" that move the market can make it move like that anyways. Dumb money is getting in when there is no real direction or momentum and losing everyday.
The time periods I mentioned come from observing this instrument on a daily basis for over seven years straight.

lancelottrader 

I mostly trade between 9:30 am est and 12 PM. I do sometimes trade the afternoon if it is moving well. I often will set price alerts at certain levels and if I hear them go off, I'll take a look. Also, if my Tickstrike indicator starts really going off, I also will monitor what is happening. From my experience, NQ moves best for my system between 9:35 am to 10:10 am. Then it can get choppy. Sometimes at 10:20 there is a push. Also 11 am and 11:20 am are often times when a move comes out of nowhere. Why it happens at those times I'm not really sure. Sometimes 12:20 pm is good too.

11:00 - 11:30 ET is the 30 minute rotation into the European Market close at 11:30 ET. I concur and also look for a sustained directional price move opportunity during that half hour window. I will take a closer look at the 10:20 and 12:20 times you mentioned. Thanks for sharing.

Trades for today.

lancelottrader 

Trades for today.

This is motivating. Thanks!

Good to hear from you man, nice day!

Tap In 

This is motivating. Thanks!

Thank you.

Had a fair day. Not a ton of momentum, but the video explains the setups pretty well.

Great stuff Lance, always a pleasure hearing updates from you.