Let me be real with my fellow crypto friends: when it comes to short-term trading, there’s really no need to get obsessed with all those fancy indicators!

I’ve summed up six practical rules I’ve learned from real trading experience. Memorize and follow them—they’re way more reliable than blindly following the crowd or making random moves.

Rule 1: Wait for new highs during high-level consolidation; watch out for breakdowns during low-level consolidation. Newbies, don’t rush in when you see sideways movement at high prices—the big players are usually building up strength. As long as the key support isn’t broken, there’s a higher chance of further gains. But don’t try to bottom fish during low-level sideways movement—it’s easy to fall into a “new low trap.” Wait until the trend is clear before making a move to avoid getting stuck.

Rule 2: Don’t act blindly during sideways movement. When the price is moving sideways, it’s as calm as a windless lake. Forcing your way in will either get you trapped or barely make enough to cover fees. Be patient and wait—only act after the price breaks above the upper range or falls below the lower range. When the trend is clear, your chances of winning are much higher.

Rule 3: Look for buying opportunities on red candles and selling opportunities on green candles. Don’t panic sell just because you see a red candle, and don’t blindly chase green candles. That’s classic FOMO and panic selling—nine times out of ten you’ll lose. As long as the main trend is intact, red candles are actually “discount entry opportunities,” while green candles are a time to consider “taking profits.” Focus on support and resistance levels and try to trade against the crowd to avoid most risks.

Rule 4: The speed of the drop determines the rebound. After a sharp drop, the rebound is usually strong; after a slow decline, the recovery tends to be weak. Remember this rhythm—when trading rebounds, you’ll know to buy after a quick drop and to wait and watch after a slow decline, so you won’t mistime your entry.

Rule 5: Build positions pyramid-style. Never go all-in at once! For example, if you plan to buy 1,000 coins, start by buying 200 at a relatively high price, add 300 more if it drops 5%, and if it drops again, buy the remaining 500. Buying more as the price drops lowers your average cost and prevents “buying more as it rises and panicking during a pullback.”

Rule 6: Sideways movement always follows big moves. If the price keeps rising or falling for several days, it’s bound to enter a “consolidation phase” afterward. Don’t rush in fearing you’ll miss out—sideways phases are prime trap territory. Wait until the consolidation ends and the direction is clear—either continued rise or a reversal drop—then act when you see a clear signal. That’s the steady approach.

If you want to know how to manage your funds, time your moves, and control your rhythm, I can chat with you about it in detail. These few honest tips could save you years of detours—sometimes, all it takes is just a few straightforward words.