Traders are often told to find specific setups on the chart, collect data, and build a system around them.

So they pick something like HTF sweep + LTF BOS, backtest it for a week across different conditions, add a couple of indicators, and go live.

In reality, the edge doesn’t come from the setup.
It comes from the market phase.

Most of the time, the market does nothing.

Trying to trade liquidity grabs and structure breaks inside a range, or calling reversals in an aggressive trend, leads to predictable losses.

The starting point of any trade is understanding the current phase.

You don’t need complex tools for this.
A quick look at the chart, a pair of eyes, and something simple like moving averages is enough to see direction and volatility. Complexity comes later if needed.

Each phase requires its own playbook.

In a trend, you want momentum. You enter on pullbacks, follow order flow.
In a range, you work the boundaries. You look for reversals.

So the process is simple:

• Identify the phase
• Choose setups based on that phase
• Refine your execution

Practical example:

The current phase can be technically described as “absolute mess” → the corresponding setup is developing a dependency on nicotine and video games.