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.

Advanced Spread Trading with Guy Bower - MasterClass Trader
Zulu Trading Method for the Soybeans with Joe Ross
The Better Butterfly Course with David Vallieres – Tradingology
Accumulation & Distribution with Larry Williams
Trading Strategies with Ambush and Stealth Combined - Joe Ross
$20 – 52k 20 pips a day challange with Rafał Zuchowicz - TopMasterTrader
Price Action Prophet
Advanced Nuances & Exceptions eCourse with Jim Dalton
Quantamentals - The Next Great Forefront Of Trading and Investing with Trading Markets
All About Dividend Investing with Don Schreiber & Gary Stroik
Trading Indicators for the 21st Century
Complete Day Trading : Stock Trading With Technical Analysis
Analysis Of Entry Signals (Technicals) with Joe Marwood
The Orderflows Trade Opportunities Encyclopedia with Michael Valtos
4 Class Bundle
Evolution Markets Forex Course - Evolution Markets
ActiveBeta Indexes. Capturing Systematic Sources of Active Equity Returns (HTML) with Andrew Lo
Carter FX 2.0 with CFX University
Trade with Precision Price Action Course Silver+Bronze By Nick McDonald
PennyStocking with Timothy Sykes
Workshop Earnings Powerplay with Base Camp Trading
Wyckoff Analytics Courses Collection
Forex Mastery Course [6 DVDs (30 FLVs) + (PDF)]
Using the Techniques of Andrews & Babson
The Trading Blueprint with Brad Goh - The Trading Geek
Crypto Trading Academy with Cheeky Investor - Aussie Day Trader
High Probability Continuation and Reversal Patterns
Portfolio Investing with Ron Bertino
The Global Money Markets with Frank Fabozzi, Steven Mann & Moorad Choudhry
Most Woke Trading Methods with Hunter FX
Mind of a Trader with Alpesh Patel
Bird Watch in Lion Country 2010 Ed with Dirk Du Toit
Compass Trading System with Right Line Trading
Zen in the Markets with Edward Allen Toppel
Month 01 to 08 2018
The Investors Guide to Active Asset Allocation with Martin Pring
Scalp Strategy and Flipping Small Accounts with Opes Trading Group
Options Trading & Ultimate MasterClass With Tyrone Abela - FX Evolution
The Systematic Trader: Maximizing Trading Systems and Money Management with David Stendahl & John Boyer
Andy’s EMini Bar – 60 Min System
Timing the Market with Curtis Arnold
Candlestick & Pivot Point Strategies with John L.Person
Unsorted Articles about the Psychology of Trading with Brett N.Steenbarger
Chaos and order in the Capital Markets with Edgar E.Peters
Bill Williams Package ( Discount 30% )
Home Run Options Trading Course with Dave Aquino - Base Camp Trading
The Stock Market, Credit & Capital Formation with Fritz Machlup
Advanced Pattern Trader Course with Trade Empowered
Trading for a Living with Alexander Elder
The Nature of Risk with Justin Mamis
Indicators & BWT Bar Types for NT7
Options University - Ron Ianieri – Options University Live Seminars
Trading Options for Dummies with George Fontanills
The New Investment Superstars: 13 Great Investors and Their Strategies for Superior Returns - Lois Peltz
AnkhFX Academy Course
WondaFX Signature Strategy with WondaFX
CMT Association Entire Webinars
TIMfundamentals with Timothy Sykes
The Prop Trading Code with Brannigan Barrett - Axia Futures
Activedaytrader - Workshop Options For Income
War Room Psychology Vol.3 with Trick Trades
TRADING NFX Course with Andrew NFX
Artificial Neural Networks Technology with Dave Anderson, George McNeill
Tick By Tick By Alphonso Esposito - TradeSmart
War Room Psychology Vol. 2 with Pat Mitchell – Trick Trades
The TLM Playbook 2022 with Trade Like Mike
Myths of the Free Market with Kenneth Friedman
Commodities and Commodity Derivatives: Modeling and Pricing for Agriculturals, Metals and Energy - Helyette Geman
Advanced Trading Course with John Person
Trade with a Day Job USA v2010 with Markets Mastered
Beat The Market Maker
Bond Market Course with The Macro Compass
Zen8 Forex Hedging Program with Hugh Kimura - Trading Heroes
Breakout Trading Systems with Chris Tate
ValueCharts Ultimate Bundle with Base Camp Trading
Magical Forex Trading System
SQX Mentorship with Tip Toe Hippo
Technical & Fundamental Courses with Diamant Capital
Build A Career In Forex Trading - Learn Fundamental Analysis - Luciano Kelly & Learn Forex Mentor
Nasdaq Scalper Complete Video Course with Vadym Graifer - RealityTrader
ACD Method [Video (6 MP4s)] with Mark Fisher
AI For Traders with Trading Markets
Trading by the Minute - Joe Ross
7 Things You MUST Know about Forex Candlesticks
Point And Figure Part III By Bruce Fraser & Roman Bogomazov - Wyckoff Analytics
8 Successful Iron Condor Methodologies with Dan Sheridan
Currency Trading System 2003 with Peter Bain
Winning – Zodiacal Timing Revised 1980 with Joyce Wehrman
Trading Economic Data System with CopperChips
5 Part Daytrading Course with Kevin Haggerty
7 Day FX Mastery Course with Market Masters
Candlestick Patterns to Master Forex Trading Price Action with Federico Sellitti
Trading Full Circle the Complete Underground Trader System for Timing with Jea Yu
ICT Prodigy Trading Course – $650K in Payouts with Alex Solignani
Be Smart, Act Fast, Get Rich with Charles Payne
Big Fish Trading Strategy with Dave Aquino
Triple Squeeze Indicator TOS
The Vol.T Volume-Tick Indicator Package
Advanced Forex Trading Momentum vs Reversals with Indicators Webinar - Mark Whistler
Matrix Spread Options Trading Course with Base Camp Trading
Alternative Beta Strategies & Hedge Fund Replication with Lars Jaeger & Jeffrey Pease
Best of the Best: Collars with Amy Meissner & Scott Ruble
Investment Valuation
Investment Blunders with John Nofsinger
Out of the Pits with Caitlin Zaloom
Your Next Great Stock: How to Screen the Market for Tomorrow's Top Performers with Jack Hough
The Stock Selector System with Michael Sheimo
War Room Technicals Vol. 3 with Trick Trades
Backtrade Marathon NEW with Real Life Trading
Candlesticks Re-Ignited Workshop
Yes You Can Time the Market! with Ben Stein
Adz Trading Academy
Chris Swaggy C Williams - The Swag Academy
Random Walk Trading Options Professional
Crypto Strategies From Swing Trading To Intraday with Alessio Rutigliano & Roman Bogomazov
Forex Mentor - FX Winning Strategies
Monetary Mechanics Course 2024 with The Macro Compass
Pips University
X-Factor Day-Trading
TradingWithBilz Course
Trading Ist Ein Geschaft (German) (tradingeducators.com)
The Trading Vault with Anne-Marie Baiynd
Master NFTs in 7 Days with Ben Yu
Order Flow Analytics
Momentum Explained
BOSSPack Course with Pat Mitchell – Trick Trades
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.