How to Trade Elliott Wave for Beginners (2023)

Before we begin our discussionhow to trade Elliott Wave, let's find out how the Elliott wave theory was discovered. You will learn why the Elliott wave strategy is so popular today. In 1930, Ralph Nelson Elliott began learning about the stock market after the 1929 stock market losses.

Eliot's discoveries were impressive. After carefully studying the markets, he began to notice some recurring patterns.

Elliott believed the market was much less "chaotic" than many traders assumed. He described some of the patterns he observed as different types of waves.

He noted that the market traded in a series of three and five waves. Elliott believed that his specific waves could provide more detail and predictability than almost any other strategy.

That's why we call it aElliott Wave StrategyToday.

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Our team at Trading Strategy Guides adopted the Elliott Wave strategy. This is because it gives us good Elliott Wave entry points. This ultimately leads to a superior risk-to-return ratio.

The Elliott wave strategy is similar to a trend following strategy. Corresponding toMACD Trend by Strategy – Simple Learn Trading Strategy. Or another popular strategy,How to profit from withdrawals in trading.

Although the Elliott Wave strategy is a trend-following strategy, we can identify the Elliott Wave entry points in the lower time frames. This is because this theory can be applied to all time frames and all markets. So essentially it is a universal trading strategy.

Let's dive a little deeper into how to trade Elliott Wave and how we can make money.

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What is Elliott Wave Theory?

Impulsive waves vs. corrective modes

The Elliott wave theory requires you to look for a five consecutive wave pattern before making a trading decision. Elliott wave theory begins by identifying two different types of waves.

• Impulsive wavesthey move in the same direction as the overall trend and support the trends.
• Corrective waves,Instead, go against the overall trend. These waves appear in a series of five.
• Elliott wave theorywill require you to look for a pattern of five consecutive waves before making a trading decision.

Impulsive waves and corrective waves are perfect opposites. However, the commercial theories that make them useful remain unchanged.Push versus correction movements are one of the basic fundamentals of market structure. And understanding market structure – apart from the obvious support and resistance (levels).

We will now explore how you can use impulsive and corrective waves to increase your chance of making strong returns. Read it toohidden secrets of the moving average.

Learn to trade the Elliott Wave

One reason Elliot Wave is so popular is that it combines technical and fundamental news. The theory is based on the cyclical pattern of market events.

Even if there is a devastating recession, sooner or later the existing conditions should return to what they were before the recession. Also read our guide on how to trade with itbest Wolfe Wave strategy.

The basic principle of the Elliott wave theory is that for a certain period of time prices move in certain patterns.

R.N. Elliott discovered that any trend trend can be broken down into a sequence of five waves. Call these waves 1 through 5. One of the rules of the Elliott Wave strategy is that waves 1, 3, and 5 often form in the direction of the trend. Waves 2 and 4 are price movements against the prevailing trend.

The Elliott wave observed this after a 5-wave movement in the direction of the prevailing trend. There is a 3-wave corrective move in the opposite direction labeled A, B and C.

In Elliott wave theory, wave 5 moves in the direction of the trend. It is also called driving waves, while the 3 wave corrective moves against a 5 wave movement are also called corrective waves.

This is very useful because we can now break any price trend move in this basic 5-3 wave pattern. Every impulsive and corrective move is a series of waves that swing up and down. This shows that we have waves in waves.

This means that a sequence of five waves in a one-time frame may simply be the first wave in a larger time frame. In other words, this merely confirms the fractal nature of market theory.

Let's define some of the rules of the Elliott Wave strategy. It can help us decide to find good Elliott Waves entry points.

Elliott Wave strategiregler

The Elliott Wave strategy must meet and adhere to some strict rules to validate the 5 wave movement. The three basic rules.

• Wave 2 never retraces more than 100% of wave 1. Usually the reversal is between 50% and 61.8% of wave 1.
• Wave 4 never repeats more than 100% of wave 3. Typically it falls between 38.2% and 50% of wave 3.
• Wave 3 always travels beyond the end of wave 1 and is never the shortest. Wave 3 will normally span 161.8 x wave 1.

Our favorite way to play the Elliott Wave strategy is to let the first 4 wave movements unfold. Next, find good Elliott wave entry points near the end of wave 4. This is done in an attempt to catch the last wave of the entire Elliott wave 5 sequence.

Before defining how to trade the Elliott Wave, it is important to highlight other important guidelines of the Elliott Wave strategy:

• If wave 3 is the biggest wave, then wave 5 will be roughly equal to wave 1.

• Wave 2 and wave 4 will alternate. If wave 2 is a sharp correction, wave 4 is a flat correction and vice versa.

• After the completion of a five Elliott wave sequence, corrective ABC waves usually end near the wave 4 low.

How does Elliott Wave work?

The Elliott wave theory is similar to the Dow theory in the sense that both market theories describe the idea that ups and downs are influenced by crowd psychology. However, Elliott Wave and Dow Theory also differ because in Elliott Wave analysis the trend is analyzed in much more detail.

Elliott discovered that swing in mass psychology can appear on a price chart in the form of repeating waves.

This is an important concept in Elliott Wave forecasting.

Due to the fractal nature of these waves, Elliott recognized 9 different degrees of waves:

1. Grand Super Cycle
2. Super Circle
3. Cycle
4. Primary
5. Intermediate
6. Minors
7. Minute, thin
8. Minuet
9. Sub detail

Here's how fractals can help us better understand Elliott wave analysis:

According to Elliott, the price of your chart, cloud formations, nervous system and coastline all have something in common.

Can you guess it?

If your answer is:

"Everyone has infinite patterns."

You're right!

And these endless patterns are known as fractals.

The perfect example of a fractal is the shape of broccoli. The entire trunk has the same pattern as one of its branches. If you cut off a branch, you have a smaller version of the whole broccoli.

So, in the same way that broccoli shows its fractal nature, the price of your chart shows different degrees of waves.

If you really want to master the Elliott Wave, we recommend getting your hands on the best Elliott wave trading book:Elliott Wave Principle: A Key to Market Behavior af Robert R Prechter.

Move on….

Many traders, even the most experienced traders, struggle to figure out where to start counting the Elliott wave.

We have many such messages from our avid readers:

"I'm going to start counting the Elliott Wave like a boss."

We would like to shed some light on this.

Are you ready?

So let's get started.

Where to start counting Elliott Wave?

There are different methods traders can use to start an Elliott wave count. However, the best method to start an Elliott wave count is to start the count on an extreme swing high or an extreme swing low.

Here is an example:

Not…

If you start counting Elliott waves at the high, you are essentially tracking the move down. Conversely, if you start the count from the low, you track the upward movement.

But if you want to find the higher degree Elliott Wave cycles, you need to start counting the waves from the weekly and monthly charts.

According to Elliott Wave principles, start the EW measurement from the end of the previous impulse wave.

Move on…

Another challenge Elliott Wave practitioners face is the fact that wave measurement can be subjective.

In this regard, you should never use Elliott Wave analysis for its own merits.

However, use additional technical tools as additional input.

The 3 best technical tools to support Elliott Wave analysis are:

1. Elliott Wave med Fibonacci
2. Elliott Wave med RSI
3. Elliott Wave with MACD

Let's briefly break down how to use each of these tools.

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Elliott Wave and Fibonacci Retracement Strategy PDF

You can improve the number of Elliott waves with Fibonacci.

Here's how you do it:

The first secret of the Elliott wave theory is that within each wave cycle there are an even number of waves corresponding to the Fibonacci numbers.

See the figure below:

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Let's go a step further and see what the relationship is between Elliott Wave and Fibonacci Retracement and Extension levels:

• If wave 1 is extended, wave 3 is a 61.8% – 78.6% Fibonacci extension of the size of wave 1.
• If wave 1 is extended, waves 2 and 4 will usually retrace between the 23.6% – 38.2% Fibonacci retracement.
• If wave 3 extends, wave 1 and wave 5 are of equal length or the 61.8% ratio is second most likely.
• If wave 3 is extended, wave 4 resets between 23.6% – 38.2% Fibonacci retracement levels.
• If wave 4 extends more than 50% of wave 3, it is not wave 4.
• If wave 1 and wave 3 are equal, wave 5 is extended.
• If wave 5 extends, then it ends with a 161.8% Fibonacci extension over the size of wave 1 to wave 3

Next…

Let me show you another beautiful example: you can use Elliott Wave analysis together with supporting indicators.

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Elliott Wave and RSI

The RSI oscillator can be used with the Elliott Wave strategy to confirm the wave figure.

Here's how you do it:

First, let's remember that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) was developed to measure the current strength or weakness of the trend.

I think you already understand howRSI divergence works?

Fantastic, because we will apply it when combining Elliott Wave and RSI.

The hardest part of Elliott Wave analysis is knowing when to expect the final top or bottom.

This is where the RSI comes into play.

Elliott Wave with RSI indicator has 2 applications:

1. It helps EW professionals better identify wave 3 in any cycle
2. RSI will create a divergence in wave 5

You might be wondering:

So how do you determine that in real time?

If the RSI reaches overbought/oversold extremes above 90 (below 10), this should correspond to the top of the 3rd wave. When the price reaches the last 5th wave, the RSI should make a lower high and create a divergence.

This is how you know if your Elliott wave reading is right or wrong.

Here is an example:

Next…

We will see how to use Elliott Wave and MACD together.

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Elliott Wave with MACD

MACD can be used in the same way as we use the RSI indicator. That is, it can be used to identify the end of the third wave and the end of the 5th^uwave.

But we like to combine Elliott Wave and MACD to identify the end of corrective waves.

Here is an example of how MACD can help us see the end of a correction.

In the EUR/USD chart above, we have highlighted a typical ABC correction.

Using the MACD indicator, we can see that although wave C fell below wave A, the momentum indicator on the MACD of wave C was above the level of wave A. The MACD divergence was an early sign that price was about to reverse.

Moving forward…

Now that we have a good understanding of the basic Elliott Wave principle, let's define some Elliott Wave entry points that our team usesTrading Strategy Guides.

Note* The good thing about the Elliott Wave strategy is that it does not require a technical indicator as it is purely a price action strategy.

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Step #1 Wait until you can see an Elliott wave sequence of at least 3 waves.

Since we always support trading in the direction of the trend as explained above, we only try to catch the last wave 5.

So to find Elliott Wave entry points we need to let the market put its hands away. We are waiting for the first 3 waves of a five Elliott Wave pattern to develop.

We need to verify that each wave conforms to the Elliott Wave strategy rules to confirm the validity of the Elliott wave quantity. In the figure above, we have seen a bearish Elliott wave figure. The wave number follows the Elliott Wave strategy rules, which means we are looking for a sell setup.

Now it's time to take care of Elliott Wave entry points which brings us to the next step.

Step #2 Sell between 38.2% and 50% Fibonacci retracements of Wave 3.

One of the Elliott wave rules states that wave 4 should ideally retrace between the 38.2% and 50% Fibonacci retracement of wave 3. Elliott wave entry points are at 38.2%. This is because we never know for sure how far the market will go and we don't want to miss the move.

We are pretty sure that with experience you can set Elliott Wave entry points and get even better trades. You can also find other good trading strategieson our blog.

Now we can note that wave four retraces just above the 50% retracement. Since the market is never a perfect place where the rules are followed by beeps, there will always be small variations. The Elliott Wave strategy is no exception to the rule.

Now that we have established our Elliott Wave entry points, we now need to decide where to place themprotective stop loss.

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Step #3 Place the protective stop loss a few pips above the end point of wave 1

In "How to Trade Elliott Wave" we emphasize the importance of wave 4. We never enter the area of ​​wave 1. In this regard, it is smart to place the stop loss exactly where the Elliott Wave pattern will be cancelled.

In the figure above, we have marked the ideal place to hide the protective stop loss. This happens in the case of a bearish Elliott wave sequence.

The next logical thing to decide about the Elliott Wave strategy is where to take profits. Let's find out how to use this strategy in a bull market.

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Step #4 Take profit when wave 5 equals wave 1 or breaks below wave 3

The Elliott Wave strategy is all about experimenting with new trading ideas. We encourage you to find your own set of rules, because once you have a good understanding of how to trade the Elliott Wave, you can develop many Elliott Wave strategies around it.

In this regard, we do not have a defined strategy for profit acceptance. This is because the Elliott Wave strategy appears to maximize profits. The only way you can do this is through flexibility because no two Elliott Wave structures are alike.

Note** The above was an example of a SELL trade... Use the same rules – but in reverse – for a BUY trade.In the figure below, you can see a real example of a BUY trade using a bullish Elliott wave sequence.

The above chart was constructed using the Elliott Wave strategy Step #1.

The above chart was constructed using the Elliott Wave strategy Step #2 to Step #4.

What is Elliott Wave?

Ralph Nelson Elliott was a professional accountant born in 1871 who developed what is now known as Elliott wave theory. The Elliott Wave Principle by Ralph Nelson Elliott describes his theory of market behavior and how prices in any market move in specific patterns.

Is Elliott Wave Reliable?

Yes. Elliott Wave analysis is a reliable form of technical analysis. Underlying Elliott Wave theory are two cornerstones: the fractal nature of all markets and the fact that all significant changes in price direction are the result of investor psychology.

Is the theory of Elliott waves accurate?

Yes! Elliott Wave analysis is very accurate as it provides accurate analysis of the market sentiment. However, as with any type of technical analysis, it is subjective and depends on your trading experience to accurately prepare price action.

Is Elliott Wave Useful?

Yes! Elliott Wave analysis is useful for identifying at what price and at what time a trend has the potential to change direction. The Elliott wave is the only form of technical analysis that gives traders a complete picture of price action.

Why does Elliott Wave work?

Elliott Wave works because it is based on crowd behavior and investor psychology. All prices in any market are driven by investor psychology, which is why Elliott Wave principles have worked in the past, work today, and will continue to work in the future.

Which Time Frame is Best for Elliott Wave?

The daily chart is the best time frame to use Elliott Wave analysis. However, due to the fractal nature of the markets, we can apply the Elliott Wave principles to any time frame and get a pretty good idea of ​​what the market will do that day, week or month.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones is known as an Elliott Wave practitioner. If the 120th richest person on the Forbes 400 list uses the Elliott Wave strategy, you shouldn't be the fool to ignore it. Elliott Wave analysis has stood the test of time. If you are just getting your feet wet in trading, this is definitely a good place to start if you want to build a fortune.

There are many different strategies on how to trade the Elliott Wave and ultimately it all depends on your experience and how good you are at spotting Elliott Wave entry points.

Elliott's strategies have often been compared to some of his contemporaries, such as Charles H. Dow and various others.

However, Elliott also believed that his specific waves could offer more detail and predictability than almost any other strategy.

Last but not least, check out our latest Harmonic Pattern Trading tutorial which can be found here:Make money with the Harmonic Bat Pattern strategy.

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