<p id="isPasted">Setting up lines in Bob Volman's price action methodology is about identifying barriers where price is likely to pause or break, rather than just connecting random peaks and troughs. Volman emphasizes a "naked chart" approach with very few lines to avoid clutter. </p><p><strong>1. The Core Moving Average</strong></p><p>Before drawing any manual lines, set up your primary reference point:</p><ul><li>Indicator: 25-period (for 5-min charts) or 20-period (for 70-tick charts) Exponential Moving Average (EMA).</li><li>Purpose: This acts as a "dynamic support/resistance" and helps visualize the "squeeze"—where price is sandwiched between the EMA and a horizontal barrier. </li></ul><p><strong>2. Drawing Horizontal Barriers (Support & Resistance)</strong></p><p>Volman focuses on horizontal lines because they represent clear psychological price levels. </p><ul><li>The 3-Touch Rule: A valid barrier should ideally have at least three distinct touches or "price action zones" where the market reversed or stalled.</li><li>Precision vs. Zones: While you draw a single line, treat it as a narrow zone. It doesn't have to hit the exact pixel of every wick; it should capture the most "sticky" area where price struggled to move past.</li><li>Role Reversal: Once a resistance line is broken, it often flips to become support (and vice versa). Keep these levels on your chart as long as they remain relevant. </li></ul><p><strong>3. Pattern Lines (Boxes & Squeezes)</strong></p><p>Instead of long-term trendlines, Volman uses "pattern lines" to encapsulate short-term consolidation.</p><ul><li>The Box/Block: Draw a box around a cluster of price bars that are tightly grouped in a narrow vertical span. This "block" represents building tension.</li><li>The Signal Line: The top or bottom boundary of this box becomes your "signal line." A decisive break of this line—especially if preceded by a squeeze against it—is your entry trigger.</li><li>Avoid "Floating" Lines: Do not draw lines in the middle of a range. Lines should only be placed at the extreme edges of a consolidation where a breakout would actually signify a change in market pressure. </li></ul><p><strong>4. Setup Summary</strong></p><p><strong> Element Setting/Rule</strong></p><table data-animation-nesting="" data-sae="" style="border: none; border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: auto; width: 652px; color: rgb(230, 232, 240); font-family: "Google Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(16, 18, 24); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" id="isPasted"><tbody><tr data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp=""></tr><tr data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp=""><td colspan="undefined" data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp="" style="border-bottom: 0.8px solid rgb(45, 47, 53); min-width: 4em; vertical-align: top; color: rgb(230, 232, 240); font-family: "Google Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22px; letter-spacing: 0px; padding: 12px 16px 12px 0px;">EMA</td><td colspan="undefined" data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp="" style="border-bottom: 0.8px solid rgb(45, 47, 53); min-width: 4em; vertical-align: top; color: rgb(230, 232, 240); font-family: "Google Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22px; letter-spacing: 0px; padding: 12px 0px;">20 or 25 EMA (the only allowed indicator)</td></tr><tr data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp=""><td colspan="undefined" data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp="" style="border-bottom: 0.8px solid rgb(45, 47, 53); min-width: 4em; vertical-align: top; color: rgb(230, 232, 240); font-family: "Google Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22px; letter-spacing: 0px; padding: 12px 16px 12px 0px;">Horizontal Lines</td><td colspan="undefined" data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp="" style="border-bottom: 0.8px solid rgb(45, 47, 53); min-width: 4em; vertical-align: top; color: rgb(230, 232, 240); font-family: "Google Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22px; letter-spacing: 0px; padding: 12px 0px;">Connect at least 3 points of rejection; prioritize the most recent</td></tr><tr data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp=""><td colspan="undefined" data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp="" style="border-bottom: 0.8px solid rgb(45, 47, 53); min-width: 4em; vertical-align: top; color: rgb(230, 232, 240); font-family: "Google Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22px; letter-spacing: 0px; padding: 12px 16px 12px 0px;">Boxes</td><td colspan="undefined" data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp="" style="border-bottom: 0.8px solid rgb(45, 47, 53); min-width: 4em; vertical-align: top; color: rgb(230, 232, 240); font-family: "Google Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22px; letter-spacing: 0px; padding: 12px 0px;">Encapsulate 5–20 bars of tight consolidation</td></tr><tr data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp=""><td colspan="undefined" data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp="" style="border-bottom: none; min-width: 4em; vertical-align: top; color: rgb(230, 232, 240); font-family: "Google Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22px; letter-spacing: 0px; padding: 12px 16px 12px 0px;">Timeframe</td><td colspan="undefined" data-complete="true" data-sfc-cp="" style="border-bottom: none; min-width: 4em; vertical-align: top; color: rgb(230, 232, 240); font-family: "Google Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22px; letter-spacing: 0px; padding: 12px 0px;">5-minute or 70-tick chart (specifically for EUR/USD)</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p id="isPasted">Setting up lines in Bob Volman's price action methodology is about identifying barriers where price is likely to pause or break, rather than just connecting random peaks and troughs. Volman emphasizes a "naked chart" approach with very few lines to avoid clutter. </p><p><strong>1. The Core Moving Average</strong></p><p>Before drawing any manual lines, set up your primary reference point:</p><ul><li>Indicator: 25-period (for 5-min charts) or 20-period (for 70-tick charts) Exponential Moving Average (EMA).</li><li>Purpose: This acts as a "dynamic support/resistance" and helps visualize the "squeeze"—where price is sandwiched between the EMA and a horizontal barrier. </li></ul><p><strong>2. Drawing Horizontal Barriers (Support & …</strong></p>