Smart Money Trading Strategy Guide
Understanding the intricacies of the stock market can be daunting, but Gavin Holmes’ “Trading in the Shadow of the Smart Money” offers a unique perspective. This approach helps traders recognize the footprints of the so-called “smart money” – the professional traders and institutions who significantly influence market movements. By learning to identify these signals, traders can make more informed decisions and enhance their trading strategies.
Who is Gavin Holmes?
Background and Expertise
Gavin Holmes is a seasoned trader and author known for his expertise in volume spread analysis (VSA). He has dedicated his career to educating traders on how to decode the activities of professional traders and institutions.
Publications and Contributions
Holmes has authored several books and conducted numerous seminars and webinars, making his insights widely accessible to traders at all levels.
Understanding Smart Money
What is Smart Money?
Smart money refers to the capital controlled by institutional investors, central banks, and other financial professionals. These entities have the resources and information to influence market trends.
Why Follow Smart Money?
By following the smart money, retail traders can align their strategies with the market’s underlying trends, increasing their chances of success.
Volume Spread Analysis (VSA)
What is VSA?
Volume Spread Analysis is a methodology that examines the relationship between price movements, volume, and the spread of a security. It helps traders identify buying and selling pressures.
Components of VSA
- Volume: The number of shares traded.
- Spread: The difference between the high and low prices of a trading period.
- Price: The actual trading price of the security.
Key Concepts in “Trading in the Shadow of the Smart Money”
Identifying Professional Activity
Holmes emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of professional activity in the market. This involves analyzing volume and price action to detect accumulation and distribution phases.
Accumulation and Distribution
- Accumulation: When smart money is buying large quantities without significantly moving the price.
- Distribution: When smart money is selling large quantities without causing a sharp price decline.
Practical Application of VSA
Analyzing Chart Patterns
Holmes teaches traders how to read and interpret chart patterns to identify potential smart money moves.
Using Indicators
Incorporating technical indicators with VSA can enhance the accuracy of your analysis.
Common VSA Signals
Up Thrusts and Shakeouts
These signals indicate potential reversals or continuations of trends, providing valuable entry and exit points.
No Demand and No Supply Bars
These bars help traders identify weak points in the market, signaling potential trend changes.
Building a Trading Plan
Setting Objectives
Define clear trading goals based on your risk tolerance and market understanding.
Risk Management
Implementing robust risk management strategies is crucial for long-term success.
Trade Execution
Plan your trades meticulously, considering entry and exit points, stop-loss orders, and position sizing.
Real-World Examples
Case Studies
Holmes’ book includes various case studies that illustrate the practical application of VSA in different market conditions.
Live Trading Sessions
Engaging in live trading sessions can provide hands-on experience and deeper insights into Holmes’ strategies.
Advantages of Trading in the Shadow of the Smart Money
Increased Accuracy
By following the smart money, traders can make more informed and accurate trading decisions.
Enhanced Market Understanding
Holmes’ approach helps traders develop a deeper understanding of market dynamics and professional trading activities.
Challenges and Solutions
Complexity of VSA
VSA can be complex for beginners. Holmes’ resources and educational materials help simplify these concepts.
Market Volatility
High market volatility can obscure smart money signals. Adapting your strategy to different market conditions is essential.
Conclusion
Trading in the Shadow of the Smart Money with Gavin Holmes offers invaluable insights into the world of professional trading. By leveraging VSA, traders can enhance their strategies and align their actions with those of the market’s most influential players.

Commonly Asked Questions:
- Business Model Innovation: Accept the truth of a legitimate business! Our strategy is organising a group buy in which participants share the costs. We use these cash to acquire popular courses from sale pages and make them available to people with limited financial resources. Despite the authors’ worries, our clients love the cost and accessibility we give.
- The Legal Environment: Yes or No The legality of our activity is ambiguous. While we don’t have specific permission from the course authors to resell the material, there is a technicality at work. The author did not specify any limits on resale when purchasing the course. This legal intricacy is both an opportunity for us and a boon for individuals looking for low-cost access.
- Quality Control: Uncovering the Truth
Getting to the heart of the issue – quality. Purchasing the course straight from the sale page guarantees that all documents and resources are the same as those obtained through traditional channels.
However, we distinguish ourselves by going beyond personal research and resale. It is crucial to note that we are not the official course providers, which means that the following premium services are not included in our package:
- There are no scheduled coaching calls or sessions with the author.
- Access to the author’s private Facebook group or web portal is not permitted.
- No access to the author’s private membership forum.
- There is no direct email support available from the author or their team.
We operate independently, with the goal of bridging the pricing gap without the extra services provided by official course channels. Your comprehension of our distinct approach is much appreciated.

Volatility Position Risk Management with Cynthia Kase
ICT Prodigy Trading Course – $650K in Payouts with Alex Solignani
HunterFX Video Course with HunterFX
Ultimate Trading Course with Dodgy's Dungeon
Access All Areas with Marwood Research
CAT 2007 Seminar with Stephen W.Bigalow
Analysis Of Entry Signals (Technicals) with Joe Marwood
ND10X - 10X Your Money In 10 Days with Nicola Delic
Momentum Mastery with Traderlion Richard Moglen & Ben Bennett
$20 – 52k 20 pips a day challange with Rafał Zuchowicz - TopMasterTrader
Wyckoff Analytics Courses Collection
Intra-day Solar Trader with George Harrison
3-Day Day Trading Seminar Online CD with John Carter & Hubert Senters
90 Days To Trade MasterClass with Jerremy Newsome & Matt Delong - Real Life Trading
Forecast 2024 Clarification with Larry Williams
PFAZoneSuite [Trading Indicator] 2017
Advanced Trading System - How To 10x Your Trading Skillsets & Results with The Trade Academy
TRAING IRON CONDORS IN ANY ENVIRONMENT with Sheridan Options Mentoring
Trading Calendar Spreads with Option Pit
A Momentum Based Approach to Swing Trading with Dave Landry
A Bull in China with Jim Rogers
Precision Pattern Trading Workbook with Daryl Guppy
Matrix Spread Options Trading Course with Base Camp Trading
Compass Trading System with Right Line Trading
TradeCraft: Your Path to Peak Performance Trading By Adam Grimes
Earnings Reaction Gaps Workshop with John Pocorobba
AI For Traders with Trading Markets
Preview of Markets with George Bayer
A Comparison of Twelve Technical Trading Systems with Louis Lukac
Formula to a Fortune with Steve Briese, Glen Ring
Scalp Strategy and Flipping Small Accounts with Opes Trading Group
SQX Mentorship with Tip Toe Hippo
Buying and Selling Volatility with Kevin B.Connolly
Three Tricks, Two Traps, One Truth Real Help for Traders and Investors with D.R.Barton
0 DTE Options Trading Workshop with Aeromir Corporation
Learn To Day-Trade the E-Mini S&P 500. Simple-as-123 with Marshall Jones
Pattern Trader Pro with ForexStore
Short Swing Trading v6.0 with David Smith
A Complete Course in Option Trading Fundamentals with Joseph Frey
Naked Trading Mastery
7 Steps to Success Trading Options Online with Larry Spears
All About Bonds, Bond Mutual Funds & Bond ETFs (3rd Ed.) with Esme Faerber
Capital Flows and Crises with Barry Eichengreen
Candlestick Secrets For Profiting In Options
A Conservative Plan to Make $3K Monthly on $25K with Dan Sheridan – Sheridan Options Mentoring
White Phoenix’s The Smart (Money) Approach to Trading with Jayson Casper
A Complete Guide to the Futures Markets: Fundamental Analysis, Technical Analysis, Trading, Spreads, and Options (1st Edition) - Jack Schwager
Traders Positioning System with Lee Gettess
W. D Gann 's Square Of 9 Applied To Modern Markets with Sean Avidar - Hexatrade350
Advanced Trading Course with Edney Pinheiro
Longlived Information & Intraday Pattern (Article) with Back and Andersen
No Bull Investing with Jack Bernstein
WondaFX Signature Strategy with WondaFX
Essentials in Quantitative Trading QT01 By HangukQuant's
Catching the Bounce
Futures Trading Secrets Home Study with Bill McCready
NASDAQ Level II Trading Strategies
Daily Market Review 2009-2012 (Video 16 GB) with David Vallieres
Crash Course Special Edition Set with Chris Martenson
Trading Systems Explained with Martin Pring
Academy - Pick Stocks Like A Pro
Alexander Elder Full Courses Package
New Market Mavericks with Geoff Cutmore
Wealth Management with Dimitris Chorafas
Pocketing Premium Master Class (Basic) with Henrry Gambell
5 Day Volume Profile Analysis Indicator Course with Mark Stone
Investment Psychology. Explained Classic Strategies to Beat the Markets with Martin Pring
The Geography of Money with Benjamin J.Cohen
Beat the Market with Edward O.Thorp
BD FX Course with FX Learning
Butterfly and Condor Workshop with Aeromir
TRADING NFX Course with Andrew NFX
Lessons 1-30 & Tradestation Code with Charles Drummond
INVESTOPEDIA - BECOME A DAY TRADER
Crystal Ball Pack PLUS bonus Live Trade By Pat Mitchell - Trick Trades
The Practical Application of Fibonacci Analysis to Investment Markets
RiskDoctor RD2 – Intermediate Course to Options Trading the RiskDoctor Way - Charles Cottle
Power Cycle Trading The Ultimate Option Guide: When & How to Use Which Option Strategy For the Best Results - Powercycletrading
Pyrapoint with D.E.Hall
Classic Trading Tactics Theory and Practice with Linda Raschke
Advanced Options Concepts - Probability, Greeks, Simulation
What Ranks Schema Course with Clint Butler
Portfolio Management using Machine Learning: Hierarchical Risk Parity
Future Energy with Bill Paul
Butterfly's Guide to Weekly Returns with Don Kaufman
All About Technical Analysis with Constance Brown
Just What I Said: Bloomberg Economics Columnist Takes on Bonds, Banks, Budgets, and Bubbles with Caroline Baum
Electronic Trading "TNT" I Gorilla Trading Stuff with Joe Ross & Mark Cherlin
Candle Charting Essentials & Beyond Volume 1 & 2 with Steve Nison - Candle Charts
Options Trading Training. The Blend SF with Charles Cottle
Tradingmarkets - Introduction to AmiBroker Programming
Proven Swing Trading Strat & Multiple Time Frame Analysis - Robert Krausz & Thom Hartle
Qualitative - Financial Statement Analysis with Sandesh Banger
War Room Psychology Vol. 1 with Pat Mitchell – Trick Trades
Secret Weapon to Trading Options on ETF's Class with Don Kaufman
The Naked Eye: Raw Data Analytics with Edgar Torres - Raw Data Analytics
3 Steps To Supply/Demand + 3 Steps To Market Profile 10% Off Combined Price
Stock Market Strategies That Work with Jack Bernstein
Practical Applications of Candlestick Charts with Gary Wagner
7 Commandments of Stock Investing with Gene Marcial
Volume Profile 2023 (Order Flow Pack) with Trader Dale
Crypto Trading Academy with Cheeky Investor - Aussie Day Trader
ADR Pro For Metatrader 4.0 with Compass FX
Zap Seminar - Ablesys
Trade Like Warren Buffett with James Altucher
Advanced Group Analysis Turorial with David Vomund
The Orderflow Masterclass with PrimeTrading
A14 Weekly Options Strategy Workshop 2023 with Amy Meissner - Aeromir
Active Investment Management: Finding and Harnessing Investment Skill with Charles Jackson
Options Trading with Nick & Gareth - Nick Santiago & Gareth Soloway - InTheMoneyStocks
Algo Trading Masterclass with Ali Casey - StatOasis
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.