Entry and Exit Rules

Entries get the attention, but exits decide results. Here is how to write clear rules for getting in, cutting losses, taking profits and leaving trades that go nowhere.

Entry rules

• Trigger price: the level that must trade before you buy.
• Order type: a stop-limit or limit order at the trigger, so you are not chasing.
• Maximum chase: skip it if the price is already too far past the trigger (for example, 5% past a breakout pivot).
• Timing rules: for example, no new swing entries in the last 15 minutes, or none the day before earnings.

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