CHARTTHREAD

Free trading course

Learn to trade from levels

A step-by-step guide from how a market works to your first planned trade, in 18 modules, plus candlestick patterns read at levels and real chart cases. Written by a trader, in plain English.

Start with lesson 1 See the full curriculum Glossary
Newest lessonLong tails: why the longest wick makes the strongest levelLevels · 4 Nov
63 of 262 lessons published
A new lesson every weekday

Track your progress, free

Mark lessons as done, see how far you are, continue on any device from the lesson you stopped at, and get an email when a new lesson is published.

Create a free account

Core course

01FoundationsWhat a market is, who trades in it, which instruments exist, and how to read a chart.33 of 33 lessons Free certificate with your name, as a PDF02The four pillars of a tradeEvery trade stands on four pillars: the level, the energy, the direction and the point of entry.6 of 6 lessons Free certificate with your name, as a PDF03LevelsPillar one. What a level is, how to draw it exactly, the eleven types, and what makes a level stronger or weaker.11 of 32 lessons04EnergyPillar two. Whether the market has the power to reach a level and go through it: range, accumulation, impulse, volume and time.5 of 12 lessons05DirectionPillar three. Which way the market is leaning: trends, pullbacks and the bigger picture.1 of 9 lessons06BreakoutsWhen price goes through a level: what a real breakout looks like, and the prerequisites that come before it.4 of 20 lessons07False breakoutsWhen a breakout fails: why it happens, how to spot it, and how to trade it.1 of 7 lessons08BouncesWhen a level holds: the prerequisites for a bounce, and how to trade one.0 of 14 lessons09The point of entryPillar four. Exactly where and how to get into the trade.0 of 6 lessons10Risk managementSizing, stops, targets and loss limits: staying in the game.2 of 16 lessons11PreparationThe routine before the session: screening, watchlist, plan and journal.0 of 11 lessons12ExecutionGetting in and out: orders, fills and managing an open trade.0 of 11 lessons13Market contextNews, weekends, open interest and reading the market as a whole.0 of 7 lessons14PsychologyThe habits that cost more than any bad setup.0 of 10 lessons15Statistics and testingIs your method working? Expectancy, samples and honest tests.0 of 10 lessons16PracticeDrills that combine everything: from homework to a final test.0 of 6 lessons17Trading tips from experienceShort, practical lessons learned the hard way. This module keeps growing.0 of 5 lessons18Other approachesPopular ideas from other schools, and how a level trader reads the same chart.0 of 2 lessons

Candlesticks at levels

19Candlesticks: the basicsWhere candle patterns come from, and what they can and cannot tell you.0 of 3 lessons20Reversal patterns at a levelThe classic turning signals, read where they matter: at a level.0 of 11 lessons21Continuation patternsSignals that the move is not over yet.0 of 5 lessons22The dojiThe indecision candle, and why it matters most at a level.0 of 4 lessons23Candles and levels togetherWhere the book meets level theory.0 of 7 lessons24Candles and indicatorsThe book's indicator chapters, tested the level trader's way: does the indicator add anything a level does not?0 of 7 lessons

Research

25Candle patterns at levels: the researchTesting whether candle patterns at levels mean anything. Findings published as the data comes in.0 of 8 lessons

Full curriculum

Core course

01Foundations

  1. 1FND-01What is a market? Buyers, sellers and a priceQuestion
  2. 2FND-02What is a stock exchange, and how does it work?Question
  3. 3FND-03Which markets exist? Stocks, bonds, commodities, forex and cryptoQuestion
  4. 4FND-04Classes of instruments: shares, futures, options, ETFs, CFDs and tokensQuestion
  5. 5FND-05Spot vs futures: what's the difference?Question
  6. 6FND-06What is a perpetual futures contract?Question
  7. 7FND-07Types of trading: scalping, day trading, swing and positionQuestion
  8. 8FND-08Day trader, swing trader or long-term investor: which are you?Question
  9. 9FND-09Long and short positions: what do they mean?Question
  10. 10FND-10How to profit when price falls: short selling explainedHow-to
  11. 11FND-11The four market players: long buyer, long seller, short seller, short buyerQuestion
  12. 12FND-12What happens at a level: who defends it, who breaks itQuestion
  13. 13FND-13Bid and ask explained: where every trade happensQuestion
  14. 14FND-14What is a spread? The cost you pay on every tradeQuestion
  15. 15FND-15The order book: how a price is madeHow-to
  16. 16FND-16Types of orders: market, limit, stop and stop-limitQuestion
  17. 17FND-17What is slippage, and how do you avoid it?Question
  18. 18FND-18What is liquidity? Why some markets move smoothlyQuestion
  19. 19FND-19Maker vs taker fees: what trading really costsQuestion
  20. 20FND-20What is leverage? (And why it isn't the risk)Question
  21. 21FND-21Isolated vs cross margin: which is safer?Question
  22. 22FND-22What is liquidation, and how do you never get liquidated?How-to
  23. 23FND-23What is the funding rate, and who pays it?Question
  24. 24FND-24Price charts explained: line, bar and candlestickQuestion
  25. 25FND-25What is a candle? How to read a candlestickQuestion
  26. 26FND-26Bars vs candles: same data, different pictureQuestion
  27. 27FND-27What does a long wick mean?Question
  28. 28FND-28Timeframes explained: which ones are actually useful?Question
  29. 29FND-29Linear or log chart: which should you use?Question
  30. 30FND-30Where to find a good price chart, and which data to trustWhere to find
  31. 31FND-31The most common mistakes new traders makeQuestion
  32. 32FND-32Practice: read your first order bookPractice
  33. 33FND-33Foundations recap: what you know nowQuestion

02The four pillars of a trade

  1. 1PIL-01The four pillars of a trade: level, energy, direction, entryQuestion
  2. 2PIL-02Pillar one, the level: where the trade happensQuestion
  3. 3PIL-03Pillar two, energy: can price get there, and beyond?Question
  4. 4PIL-04Pillar three, direction: which way is the market leaning?Question
  5. 5PIL-05Pillar four, the point of entry: exactly where to get inQuestion
  6. 6PIL-06Example: one trade checked against all four pillarsExample

03Levels

  1. 1LVL-01What is a level? Support and resistance, done properlyQuestion
  2. 2LVL-02Support and resistance zones vs levels: why an exact price winsQuestion
  3. 3LVL-03How to draw a level, step by stepHow-to
  4. 4LVL-04Best timeframe for support and resistance: the daily chartQuestion
  5. 5LVL-05How to find key levels: the candle that forms a levelHow-to
  6. 6LVL-06Strongest support and resistance: the situation decidesQuestion
  7. 7LVL-07Level type 1: trend-change levelsQuestion
  8. 8LVL-08Level type 2: false-breakout levelsQuestion
  9. 9LVL-09Level type 3: mirrored levels, when support becomes resistanceQuestion
  10. 10LVL-10Level type 4: limit-player levelsQuestionComing soon
  11. 11LVL-11Level type 5: historical levelsQuestionComing soon
  12. 12LVL-12Level type 6: IPO and listing levelsQuestionComing soon
  13. 13LVL-13Level type 7: gap levelsQuestionComing soon
  14. 14LVL-14Level type 8: abnormal-candle levelsQuestionComing soon
  15. 15LVL-15Level type 9: consolidation levelsQuestionComing soon
  16. 16LVL-16Level type 10: retracement levelsQuestionComing soon
  17. 17LVL-17Level type 11: first-hour levelsQuestionComing soon
  18. 18LVL-18Long tails: why the longest wick makes the strongest levelQuestion
  19. 19LVL-19Shallow false breakouts make a level strongerQuestionComing soon
  20. 20LVL-20Touches to the cent: why precision mattersQuestion
  21. 21LVL-21Where a big move stopped: the level behind itQuestionComing soon
  22. 22LVL-22Consolidation at the level: price resting on the lineQuestionComing soon
  23. 23LVL-23Additional touches: when repeats confirm a levelQuestionComing soon
  24. 24LVL-24Near misses: candles that almost touch the levelQuestionComing soon
  25. 25LVL-25Round numbers: when $100,000 is a levelQuestionComing soon
  26. 26LVL-26Deep false breakouts weaken a levelQuestionComing soon
  27. 27LVL-27Sawed-through levels: when a level is used upQuestionComing soon
  28. 28LVL-28How a broken level gets reconfirmedQuestionComing soon
  29. 29LVL-29What makes a level strong? The full checklistQuestionComing soon
  30. 30LVL-30Ten mistakes traders make when drawing levelsHow-toComing soon
  31. 31LVL-31Where to find today's levels for any instrumentWhere to findComing soon
  32. 32LVL-32Practice: draw the levels on bitcoin's daily chartPracticeComing soon

04Energy

  1. 1ENR-01What is energy in the market?QuestionComing soon
  2. 2ENR-02Average true range explained simplyQuestionComing soon
  3. 3ENR-03Out of fuel: how far can price still go today?Question
  4. 4ENR-04Accumulation or distribution: is the market loading or unloading?Question
  5. 5ENR-05Stored energy: the quiet build-up before a moveQuestionComing soon
  6. 6ENR-06Impulse energy: momentum, and why it runs outQuestionComing soon
  7. 7ENR-07Volume energy: is real money behind the move?How-to
  8. 8ENR-08Time energy: the best hours to trade cryptoQuestion
  9. 9ENR-09Liquidation energy: why forced exits fuel big movesQuestionComing soon
  10. 10ENR-10Speed of approach: fast or slow into a levelQuestionComing soon
  11. 11ENR-11V-shaped moves: why a fast move into a level failsQuestion
  12. 12ENR-12Calm days and wild days: reading volatilityQuestionComing soon

05Direction

  1. 1DIR-01What is a trend? Higher highs and lower lowsQuestionComing soon
  2. 2DIR-02How to spot a trend in ten secondsHow-toComing soon
  3. 3DIR-03Global vs local trend: which one wins?Question
  4. 4DIR-04Impulse and pullback: why price moves in wavesQuestionComing soon
  5. 5DIR-05Is the market trending or chopping?QuestionComing soon
  6. 6DIR-06Bull market or bear market? How to tellQuestionComing soon
  7. 7DIR-07Does Bitcoin move the whole market?QuestionComing soon
  8. 8DIR-08When the trend turns: reading a reversal at a levelQuestionComing soon
  9. 9DIR-09Practice: mark the trend on five real chartsPracticeComing soon

06Breakouts

  1. 1BRK-01The three things price can do at a levelQuestionComing soon
  2. 2BRK-02What is a breakout?QuestionComing soon
  3. 3BRK-03Breakout prerequisite 1: small candles on the approachQuestionComing soon
  4. 4BRK-04Breakout prerequisite 2: closes right at the levelQuestionComing soon
  5. 5BRK-05Breakout prerequisite 3: the squeezeQuestion
  6. 6BRK-06Breakout prerequisite 4: accumulation right under the levelQuestionComing soon
  7. 7BRK-07Breakout prerequisite 5: volatility shrinking before the breakQuestionComing soon
  8. 8BRK-08Breakout prerequisite 6: range left in the dayQuestionComing soon
  9. 9BRK-09Breakout prerequisite 7: repeated touches in a short timeQuestionComing soon
  10. 10BRK-10Breakout prerequisite 8: no pullback from the levelQuestionComing soon
  11. 11BRK-11Breakout prerequisite 9: the trend behind the breakQuestionComing soon
  12. 12BRK-12Breakout prerequisite 10: empty space beyond the levelQuestionComing soon
  13. 13BRK-13Breakout prerequisite 11: volume building at the levelQuestionComing soon
  14. 14BRK-14Breakout prerequisite 12: a big move with only a small pullbackQuestionComing soon
  15. 15BRK-15The breakout checklist: five signs a break is realHow-to
  16. 16BRK-16Two breakout patterns that actually repeatExample
  17. 17BRK-17How to trade a breakout, step by stepHow-toComing soon
  18. 18BRK-18Retests: why the second touch tells the truthQuestion
  19. 19BRK-19Example: one breakout from plan to exitExampleComing soon
  20. 20BRK-20Practice: breakout or not? Ten chartsPracticeComing soon

07False breakouts

  1. 1FBO-01False breakouts: how to spot a fakeoutHow-to
  2. 2FBO-02Why false breakouts happen: the trap, step by stepQuestionComing soon
  3. 3FBO-03One-candle and two-candle false breakoutsQuestionComing soon
  4. 4FBO-04How to trade a false breakoutHow-toComing soon
  5. 5FBO-05Where do stop losses cluster?QuestionComing soon
  6. 6FBO-06Example: a false breakout traded start to finishExampleComing soon
  7. 7FBO-07Practice: spot the fakeout, ten chartsPracticeComing soon

08Bounces

  1. 1BNC-01What is a bounce from a level?QuestionComing soon
  2. 2BNC-02Bounce prerequisite 1: a level a big player holdsQuestionComing soon
  3. 3BNC-03Bounce prerequisite 2: the day's range already spentQuestionComing soon
  4. 4BNC-04Bounce prerequisite 3: a fast approach on big candlesQuestionComing soon
  5. 5BNC-05Bounce prerequisite 4: no accumulation at the levelQuestionComing soon
  6. 6BNC-06Bounce prerequisite 5: the first touch after a long timeQuestionComing soon
  7. 7BNC-07Bounce prerequisite 6: a tired local move against the bigger trendQuestionComing soon
  8. 8BNC-08Bounce prerequisite 7: a round number at the levelQuestionComing soon
  9. 9BNC-09Bounce prerequisite 8: long tails rejecting the levelQuestionComing soon
  10. 10BNC-10Bounce prerequisite 9: volume fading into the levelQuestionComing soon
  11. 11BNC-11Bounce prerequisite 10: a big move already behind itQuestionComing soon
  12. 12BNC-12How to trade a bounce off a levelHow-toComing soon
  13. 13BNC-13Example: a bounce from plan to exitExampleComing soon
  14. 14BNC-14Practice: bounce or break? Ten chartsPracticeComing soon

09The point of entry

  1. 1ENT-01Where exactly to enter at a levelHow-toComing soon
  2. 2ENT-02Breakout or bounce? How to decide before price arrivesQuestionComing soon
  3. 3ENT-03Limit or market order at a level?QuestionComing soon
  4. 4ENT-04The buffer: how far from the level to place your orderHow-toComing soon
  5. 5ENT-05Entering on a lower timeframe without losing the daily pictureHow-toComing soon
  6. 6ENT-06When not to trade a levelQuestionComing soon

10Risk management

  1. 1RSK-01How much should you risk per trade? The risk formulaQuestion
  2. 2RSK-02Where to put your stop lossHow-toComing soon
  3. 3RSK-03Why a short stop works behind a strong levelQuestionComing soon
  4. 4RSK-04Position size from volatility: the calculation explainedHow-toComing soon
  5. 5RSK-05How much leverage should you use?QuestionComing soon
  6. 6RSK-06Risk-reward ratio explained: why aim for three to oneQuestionComing soon
  7. 7RSK-07Where to take profit: targets at the next levelHow-toComing soon
  8. 8RSK-08Take profit first: close half, let the rest runHow-to
  9. 9RSK-09Moving the stop to breakeven: when it helps and when it hurtsHow-toComing soon
  10. 10RSK-10Daily, weekly and monthly loss limitsHow-toComing soon
  11. 11RSK-11Why you should never average downQuestionComing soon
  12. 12RSK-12How long can a losing streak last?QuestionComing soon
  13. 13RSK-13What a losing streak does to your accountQuestionComing soon
  14. 14RSK-14When three trades are really oneQuestionComing soon
  15. 15RSK-15Example: sizing a real trade step by stepExampleComing soon
  16. 16RSK-16Practice: calculate size, stop and targetPracticeComing soon

11Preparation

  1. 1PRP-01A trader's morning routine in fifteen minutesHow-toComing soon
  2. 2PRP-02How to scan a hundred instruments for setupsHow-toComing soon
  3. 3PRP-03How to choose which instruments to tradeHow-toComing soon
  4. 4PRP-04How to build a watchlistHow-toComing soon
  5. 5PRP-05How to write a trading plan (with a template)How-toComing soon
  6. 6PRP-06If-then scenarios: plan every outcome in advanceHow-toComing soon
  7. 7PRP-07What to check before every trade: a checklistHow-toComing soon
  8. 8PRP-08How to keep a trading journalHow-toComing soon
  9. 9PRP-09Where to find free market dataWhere to findComing soon
  10. 10PRP-10The weekend review: learning from last week's tradesHow-toComing soon
  11. 11PRP-11Practice: build tomorrow's planPracticeComing soon

12Execution

  1. 1EXE-01Stop-limit vs stop-market ordersQuestionComing soon
  2. 2EXE-02What your orders really costQuestionComing soon
  3. 3EXE-03The trades your limit orders missQuestionComing soon
  4. 4EXE-04How to place a futures trade on Binance, step by stepHow-toComing soon
  5. 5EXE-05How to place a futures trade on Bybit, step by stepHow-toComing soon
  6. 6EXE-06How to manage an open tradeHow-toComing soon
  7. 7EXE-07Scaling in and out: partial entries and exitsHow-toComing soon
  8. 8EXE-08Exiting early: good judgement or fear?QuestionComing soon
  9. 9EXE-09One instrument, two exchanges: price spreads explainedQuestionComing soon
  10. 10EXE-10Example: a trade from plan to exitExampleComing soon
  11. 11EXE-11Practice: execution drills on a demo accountPracticeComing soon

13Market context

  1. 1CTX-01What is the market doing right now? A five-minute checkMarket readComing soon
  2. 2CTX-02What is the market doing this week? A reading templateMarket readComing soon
  3. 3CTX-03Why crypto behaves differently at the weekendQuestionComing soon
  4. 4CTX-04How news moves prices, and why levels still workQuestionComing soon
  5. 5CTX-05Which news moves crypto? Using an economic calendarWhere to findComing soon
  6. 6CTX-06Open interest explainedQuestionComing soon
  7. 7CTX-07Example: reading the market before a big moveExampleComing soon

14Psychology

  1. 1PSY-01Why we cut winners early and hold losers too longQuestionComing soon
  2. 2PSY-02Fear of missing out: how to stop chasingHow-toComing soon
  3. 3PSY-03Revenge trading: how to break the cycleHow-toComing soon
  4. 4PSY-04Overtrading: the signs and the fixQuestionComing soon
  5. 5PSY-05How to get through a losing streakHow-toComing soon
  6. 6PSY-06Why you hesitate at good setupsQuestionComing soon
  7. 7PSY-07Discipline: how to follow your own rulesHow-toComing soon
  8. 8PSY-08Process over outcome: judging a trade correctlyQuestionComing soon
  9. 9PSY-09How to stop watching charts all dayHow-toComing soon
  10. 10PSY-10Should you trade full time?QuestionComing soon

15Statistics and testing

  1. 1STA-01Win rate explained: why 40% can be profitableQuestionComing soon
  2. 2STA-02Expectancy: is your strategy actually profitable?QuestionComing soon
  3. 3STA-03How to count your results in RHow-toComing soon
  4. 4STA-04Drawdown: what it is and how deep is normalQuestionComing soon
  5. 5STA-05How many trades before you can trust your results?QuestionComing soon
  6. 6STA-06How far do your trades go against you?QuestionComing soon
  7. 7STA-07Why backtests lie, and how to make them honestQuestionComing soon
  8. 8STA-08How to test a level strategy without writing codeHow-toComing soon
  9. 9STA-09Is trading gambling? What separates the twoQuestionComing soon
  10. 10STA-10Practice: analyse your last twenty tradesPracticeComing soon

16Practice

  1. 1PRA-01Homework: find tomorrow's levelPracticeComing soon
  2. 2PRA-02Four pillars drill: score five setupsPracticeComing soon
  3. 3PRA-03Plan a trade, then compare it with what happenedPracticeComing soon
  4. 4PRA-04Read the market: three charts, three storiesPracticeComing soon
  5. 5PRA-05Quiz: twenty questions on the foundationsPracticeComing soon
  6. 6PRA-06Final test: plan five trades from scratchPracticeComing soon

17Trading tips from experience

  1. 1TIP-01One bullet per idea: why you should enter only onceQuestionComing soon
  2. 2TIP-02Stop trading after a big win, tooQuestionComing soon
  3. 3TIP-03If you can't say where a level came from, don't trade itQuestionComing soon
  4. 4TIP-04Missing a move costs nothing; chasing one costs moneyQuestionComing soon
  5. 5TIP-05Close the charts when you hit your loss limitHow-toComing soon

18Other approaches

  1. 1OTH-01What are order blocks? A level trader's viewQuestionComing soon
  2. 2OTH-02Fair value gaps and imbalances: what they really areQuestionComing soon

Candlesticks at levels

19Candlesticks: the basics

  1. 1CND-01Japanese candlesticks: where they come fromQuestionComing soon
  2. 2CND-02Candle patterns without a level mean little: here's whyQuestionComing soon
  3. 3CND-03Bullish and bearish candles: how to tell them apartQuestionComing soon

20Reversal patterns at a level

  1. 1CND-04Hammer and hanging man at a levelQuestionComing soon
  2. 2CND-05Bullish and bearish engulfing at a levelQuestionComing soon
  3. 3CND-06Dark-cloud cover and piercing patternQuestionComing soon
  4. 4CND-07Morning star and evening star at a levelQuestionComing soon
  5. 5CND-08Shooting star and inverted hammer at a levelQuestionComing soon
  6. 6CND-09Harami and harami cross: the pause before a turnQuestionComing soon
  7. 7CND-10Tweezer tops and bottoms: two touches, one priceQuestionComing soon
  8. 8CND-11Belt-hold and counterattack linesQuestionComing soon
  9. 9CND-12Three black crows and two crowsQuestionComing soon
  10. 10CND-13Triple tops and bottoms: three mountains, three riversQuestionComing soon
  11. 11CND-14Rounded and tower tops and bottomsQuestionComing soon

21Continuation patterns

  1. 1CND-15Windows (gaps): why price comes back to themQuestionComing soon
  2. 2CND-16Tasuki gaps and gapping playsQuestionComing soon
  3. 3CND-17Rising and falling three methodsQuestionComing soon
  4. 4CND-18Three white soldiers: strength or exhaustion?QuestionComing soon
  5. 5CND-19Separating lines and side-by-side white linesQuestionComing soon

22The doji

  1. 1CND-20What is a doji, and what does it mean at a level?QuestionComing soon
  2. 2CND-21Doji after a long candle: trend tired?QuestionComing soon
  3. 3CND-22Long-legged and gravestone dojiQuestionComing soon
  4. 4CND-23Tri-star: the rarest reversalQuestionComing soon

23Candles and levels together

  1. 1CND-24Candles at support and resistance: the combination that mattersQuestionComing soon
  2. 2CND-25Springs and upthrusts: the candle side of a false breakoutQuestionComing soon
  3. 3CND-26Change of polarity: candles at a mirrored levelQuestionComing soon
  4. 4CND-27Candles at a pullback levelQuestionComing soon
  5. 5CND-28Candles and volume: which signals have money behind them?QuestionComing soon
  6. 6CND-29Stacking signals: when several candle patterns agreeQuestionComing soon
  7. 7CND-30Practice: name the pattern, then find the levelPracticeComing soon

24Candles and indicators

  1. 1CND-31Candles and moving averages: help or noise?QuestionComing soon
  2. 2CND-32Candles and RSI at a levelQuestionComing soon
  3. 3CND-33Candles and the stochastic oscillatorQuestionComing soon
  4. 4CND-34Candles and open interest in futuresQuestionComing soon
  5. 5CND-35Candles and Elliott waves: a sceptic's lookQuestionComing soon
  6. 6CND-36Candles and market profileQuestionComing soon
  7. 7CND-37Lessons from a lifetime of candle charts: what the book gets rightQuestionComing soon

Research

25Candle patterns at levels: the research

  1. 1RES-01Do candle patterns at levels mean anything? The question and the methodMarket readComing soon
  2. 2RES-02Hammers at daily levels: what the data showsMarket readComing soon
  3. 3RES-03Engulfing patterns at levels: what the data showsMarket readComing soon
  4. 4RES-04Dojis at levels: signal or noise?Market readComing soon
  5. 5RES-05Stars at levels: morning, evening and shooting stars testedMarket readComing soon
  6. 6RES-06The same pattern away from a level: does it still work?Market readComing soon
  7. 7RES-07Which candle patterns survive fees and slippage?Market readComing soon
  8. 8RES-08What we built into chartthread, and what we left outMarket readComing soon