Introduction

If you’ve ever felt lost in the whirlwind of trading indicators, candlestick patterns, and market noise, you’re not alone. Thousands of traders dive into the markets daily, hoping to make the right move at the right time—only to walk away confused, frustrated, or worse, with a blown account. That’s where “Trading the Measured Move” by David Halsey steps in like a lighthouse in the fog of technical analysis.

In this detailed book breakdown, we’ll explore how Halsey’s methodology transforms chaotic price action into measurable, repeatable trades. Whether you’re a beginner tired of jumping between indicators or an experienced trader looking for an edge, this approach could be the missing piece you’ve been searching for.

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🚀 What Is the “Measured Move” Concept?

Let’s cut through the jargon. The measured move is a price action concept that suggests once a trend has begun, it’s likely to continue by a similar amount before it stalls or reverses. Think of it as a way to “measure” how far a price will travel once a breakout or directional move occurs.

David Halsey takes this idea and supercharges it with market structure, Fibonacci levels, and volume profiling. The result? A framework that gives you high-probability setups, complete with entry and exit points, rather than leaving you guessing in real time.

🧠 Who Is David Halsey?

David Halsey is the founder of E-mini Addict, a respected community of futures traders. With over a decade of live trading and coaching experience, he brings a practical, boots-on-the-ground approach to technical trading. What sets him apart is his ability to strip trading down to its most essential parts—price action, structure, and behavior.

In Trading the Measured Move, he doesn’t just throw theory at you—he walks you through actual charts, trade setups, and a replicable game plan.

🛠️ Tools of the Trade: What You’ll Learn

Here’s what makes this book stand out from the clutter of technical analysis books:

1. Market Structure and Fibonacci Confluence

Halsey’s method isn’t about relying on a single golden indicator. Instead, he emphasizes the power of combining measured moves with Fibonacci retracement and extension levels. He teaches how to spot:

Trend legs (impulsive moves)
Correction legs (retracements)
And how to predict the next trend move with solid logic

By syncing measured moves with Fibonacci levels, traders can anticipate where price is likely to move and when to take profits.

2. Volume Profiling Insights

Halsey dives into volume at price, rather than volume over time. This gives a much deeper understanding of where the market “cares” — essentially identifying key levels of interest where large traders are active.

Volume profiling isn’t just a bonus concept in the book—it’s a core component of confirming measured moves and filtering out weak trade setups.

3. The Power of the Opening Range

Ever noticed how volatile the first 30 minutes of the trading session can be? Halsey explains how the opening range can signal high-probability measured moves. Once you understand this dynamic, you’ll never look at 9:30 AM price action the same again.

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📊 Real Examples That Don’t Lie

Unlike many theoretical books that leave traders scratching their heads, Halsey uses dozens of annotated charts to showcase real trades—wins and losses alike.

You’ll see examples from:

E-mini S&P 500 futures (ES)
Crude Oil
Forex pairs
Index ETFs

Each example includes exact entry points, stop-loss placement, and multiple profit targets. This transparency is a goldmine for visual learners who struggle with generic advice.

💡 Who Should Read This Book?

This isn’t just a book for day traders—though they’ll benefit immensely.

Here’s who will get the most out of it:

✅ Day Traders – Especially those trading futures like the ES or NQ
✅ Swing Traders – Looking for a clean way to project price targets
✅ Forex Traders – Who need precision in ranging markets
✅ Price Action Enthusiasts – Wanting to ditch lagging indicators

If you’re tired of “guesswork” and want a system that relies on repeatable, observable behavior, this book is tailor-made for you.

🧩 How to Apply the Measured Move Strategy

Here’s a simplified version of how Halsey’s strategy works:

Identify the Impulse Leg
Find the most recent strong move (up or down). This is your initial “measured move.”
Wait for the Retracement
Use Fibonacci retracement levels (38.2%, 50%, 61.8%) to see where price pulls back.
Project the Next Move
Use Fibonacci extension (127.2%, 161.8%) to forecast your target zone.
Validate with Volume
Use volume profile to check if the market supports your directional bias.
Enter on Confirmation
Place your trade once price starts moving in your direction with strength.
Manage Risk & Take Profit
Set your stop below the recent swing and take profits in stages or at the full extension.

🔗 Want this entire roadmap with illustrated trades and coaching insights? Click here to get your copy of Trading the Measured Move

📉 The Downsides – Is It Too Simple?

Let’s keep it real—this isn’t a “magic bullet.” Some traders may find the system too simplistic at first glance, especially if they’re used to multi-layered indicator systems. But therein lies the beauty.

By focusing on structure and behavior, you reduce decision fatigue and increase execution speed—critical components in short-term trading.

Also, while the book teaches a powerful methodology, there is a learning curve, especially if you’re new to volume profiling or price behavior.

🧭 Why This Book Still Works in Today’s Market

One of the biggest questions readers ask is:

“Can a strategy built around E-mini S&P 500 futures from years ago still work today?”

The answer? Absolutely—because it’s based on human behavior, not arbitrary indicators.

Markets change, volatility shifts, but structure repeats. The key lessons in this book apply to modern instruments like:

Nasdaq (NQ)
S&P ETFs (SPY)
Forex majors (EUR/USD, USD/JPY)
Even crypto markets like Bitcoin

Halsey’s work is evergreen because it focuses on what’s timeless in trading: psychology and price action.

🛠️ Bonus: Tools You’ll Want for This Strategy

While you don’t need an overly complex setup, here are some tools that help bring Halsey’s system to life:

Charting Platform with Volume Profile (Thinkorswim, NinjaTrader, TradingView with volume add-ons)
Fibonacci Drawing Tools
Opening Range Indicators (some platforms offer custom scripts)
Clean Price Charts (ditch the clutter)

Having the right tools will make identifying and executing the measured move strategy far easier—and much more profitable.

📚 Final Verdict: Is It Worth Reading?

In a word? Yes.

Trading the Measured Move is a breath of fresh air for traders overwhelmed by indicator overload. Halsey teaches a strategy that is clear, repeatable, and adaptable to multiple markets and timeframes.

If you’re looking for a new way to approach trading with more confidence, fewer variables, and a logical roadmap—this book is a must-read.

🎯 Key Takeaways

✅ The measured move is a simple yet powerful forecasting method
✅ Combining it with Fibonacci and volume profile increases accuracy
✅ Real charts and examples make it highly practical
✅ Works for day trading, swing trading, and multiple asset classes
✅ Not a get-rich-quick gimmick—but a real trading edge

📦 Ready to Elevate Your Trading Game?

Don’t let another trading session go by where you’re unsure of your entry or exit. Add this book to your arsenal today and start trading with precision.

👉 Buy Trading the Measured Move by David Halsey on Amazon

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Trading the Measured Move by David Halsey: A Precision Approach to Market Profits