Top 20 VSA Principles & How to Trade Them
Introduction
Volume Spread Analysis (VSA) is a powerful methodology used by traders to understand market behavior and make informed trading decisions. By analyzing the relationship between volume, price, and spread, traders can identify market strength and weakness. This article explores the top 20 VSA principles and how to trade them effectively.
What is Volume Spread Analysis (VSA)?
Overview of VSA
Volume Spread Analysis is a technical analysis method that evaluates the relationship between trading volume, price spread, and closing prices. This technique helps traders anticipate market moves by identifying the underlying supply and demand dynamics.
Key Components
- Volume: The number of shares or contracts traded.
- Spread: The difference between the high and low prices during a trading period.
- Price Close: The closing price of the trading period.
Top 20 VSA Principles
1. High Volume Up Bars
Description
High volume up bars indicate strong buying interest. When the volume is significantly higher than average, it suggests that smart money is accumulating positions.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Consider entering long positions when you see high volume up bars.
- Exit: Monitor for signs of weakness or distribution to exit.
2. High Volume Down Bars
Description
High volume down bars suggest strong selling pressure. This typically indicates that smart money is distributing or selling off positions.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Look for opportunities to enter short positions.
- Exit: Watch for signs of accumulation to exit.
3. No Demand Bars
Description
No demand bars have low volume and narrow spreads. They indicate a lack of buying interest and can signal potential downtrends.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Consider shorting when you identify no demand bars in a downtrend.
- Exit: Close positions if buying interest returns.
4. No Supply Bars
Description
No supply bars have low volume and narrow spreads, indicating a lack of selling interest. This can signal potential uptrends.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Consider buying when you see no supply bars in an uptrend.
- Exit: Exit if selling interest resumes.
5. Test Bars
Description
Test bars have low volume and narrow spreads. They test the market’s strength or weakness, usually by dipping into previous support or resistance levels.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Enter long positions if the test bar is successful in a downtrend.
- Exit: Exit if the test fails and selling pressure increases.
6. Upthrust Bars
Description
Upthrust bars have high volume and wide spreads, but the price closes near the low. This indicates potential selling pressure.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Short positions are favorable when upthrust bars appear in an uptrend.
- Exit: Cover shorts if buying strength returns.
7. Shakeout Bars
Description
Shakeout bars have high volume and wide spreads, but the price closes near the high. This indicates potential buying interest after a period of selling pressure.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Consider entering long positions on shakeout bars.
- Exit: Exit if selling pressure re-emerges.
8. Climactic Action
Description
Climactic action involves extremely high volume and wide spreads, usually indicating a market turning point.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Look for reversal patterns to enter positions.
- Exit: Monitor for trend confirmation to hold or exit positions.
9. Absorption Volume
Description
Absorption volume occurs when high volume is met with little price movement, indicating strong support or resistance.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Buy at support or sell at resistance when absorption volume is identified.
- Exit: Close positions if the absorption level fails.
10. Hidden Buying
Description
Hidden buying is indicated by high volume on down bars with narrow spreads, suggesting accumulation.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Consider long positions when hidden buying is identified.
- Exit: Exit if selling pressure resumes.
11. Hidden Selling
Description
Hidden selling is indicated by high volume on up bars with narrow spreads, suggesting distribution.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Consider short positions when hidden selling is identified.
- Exit: Exit if buying pressure returns.
12. Professional Buying
Description
Professional buying is indicated by high volume on up bars with wide spreads, showing strong buying interest.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Buy when professional buying is identified.
- Exit: Exit if buying interest wanes.
13. Professional Selling
Description
Professional selling is indicated by high volume on down bars with wide spreads, showing strong selling interest.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Short when professional selling is identified.
- Exit: Exit if selling interest wanes.
14. Volume Climax Up
Description
Volume climax up occurs when there’s a sharp increase in volume and price, often indicating the end of an uptrend.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Look for short opportunities after volume climax up.
- Exit: Exit if buying pressure continues.
15. Volume Climax Down
Description
Volume climax down occurs when there’s a sharp increase in volume and a price drop, often indicating the end of a downtrend.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Look for long opportunities after volume climax down.
- Exit: Exit if selling pressure continues.
16. Effort vs. Result
Description
Effort vs. result examines whether the volume (effort) corresponds with the price movement (result). Discrepancies can signal potential reversals.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Enter trades when effort vs. result discrepancies are identified.
- Exit: Exit if the discrepancy resolves.
17. Bullish Reversals
Description
Bullish reversals are indicated by specific volume and price patterns that suggest a shift from bearish to bullish sentiment.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Enter long positions on confirmed bullish reversals.
- Exit: Exit if the reversal fails.
18. Bearish Reversals
Description
Bearish reversals are indicated by specific volume and price patterns that suggest a shift from bullish to bearish sentiment.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Enter short positions on confirmed bearish reversals.
- Exit: Exit if the reversal fails.
19. Narrow Range
Description
Narrow range bars with low volume often precede significant market moves as they indicate consolidation.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Enter trades anticipating a breakout from the narrow range.
- Exit: Exit if the breakout fails.
20. Wide Range
Description
Wide range bars with high volume indicate strong market interest and often signal the start of a new trend.
Trading Strategy
- Entry: Enter trades in the direction of the wide range bar.
- Exit: Exit if the trend reverses.
Conclusion
Volume Spread Analysis provides traders with a powerful toolset to understand market dynamics and make informed trading decisions. By mastering these top 20 VSA principles, traders can enhance their ability to anticipate market moves and optimize their trading strategies.

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