I invariably use an 8 tick stop while trading the ES. It was difficult at first, frustrating, but I kept the rule and it forced me to rethink entries. I find that I do not get stopped out as much, now. Perhaps this would be a little tight for some, but I find that when I place my orders near the extremes of my bollinger bands, I do not often take any heat. So that also reinforces the use of the rather small stop, in that if I am placing a failed trade that goes 2 points against me when the price is already overextended by my reading of it, then I need to find a better entry, or walk away for a few minutes and think about what I'm really seeing.

DrewDown 

.... near the extremes of my bollinger bands......

Can you share what settings you use?

KSAguy

KSAguy 

Can you share what settings you use? KSAguy

2 standard deviations, 14 bar period. Stock setting in Ninja Trader.

At most, I use a 6 period 2x ATR stop on the 5 minute chart.