Field Notes · 3 April 2026

Marking swings so homework stays comparable

Simple swing rules we enforce in class so eight participants are not marking eight different weekly structures.

Hand marking levels on a printed price chart

If everyone invents their own swing definition, group critique collapses. We use a blunt rule set so marks can be compared.

Weekly swings

  • A swing high requires two lower highs on either side on the weekly close chart.
  • Internal bars that do not change the sequence are ignored for structure — they may matter for timing later, not for the weekly skeleton.
  • Gaps are treated as part of the bar that opened them; we do not draw fantasy fills as structure.

Daily swings inside the weekly

Daily swings are marked only after the weekly skeleton exists. A daily “break” that remains inside a weekly range is a rotation, not a regime change, until the weekly confirms.

Why this feels strict

Students sometimes prefer subjective “obvious” highs. Subjectivity is fine for personal art; it is poor for shared homework. Strict marks make session five faster: we argue about confirmation, not about whether a swing exists.

Bring printed charts to the next Private Chart Review if you want your current marks stress-tested against these rules.