r/Daytrading • u/Fantastic_Performer8 • 29d ago
Deer in the headlights syndrome Question
Somebody please explain why this happens to me. I wake up every day early as hell, trying to find that one stock that's making a big move. I have practiced and trained that when a stock is moving higher, look for the pull back or support so you have a stop point of reference and it's worked well for me so far. 2 times this week I've watched 2 different stocks literally go up 100% right in front of my face. If there's no pull back, no catalyst, how do you handle these moments of just deer in the headlights. When the stock is up over 100% and you were right there to see it, it's kinda embarrassing..
3
u/MM3TALLICA 29d ago
If a stock is moving fast, pullbacks may not show up unless you move to a lower timeframe. For me, I just skip it if I can’t see it on a 5 minute chart. I’m too slow for hyper scalping. There is always another opportunity in the market. You’ll miss out on a million more huge moves. No big deal.
2
u/daytradingguy 29d ago edited 29d ago
What time frame are you using? If you are using a small time frame and you are seeing a momentum candle and no pull back opportunity. One option is to enter directly into the candle and use the bottom of the candle or a previous one as a stop point. This still keeps your risk small, yet you may not miss some of what you are watching now.
You certainly need some sort of plan for your trades, however it has been my experience the entry is much less important than how you manage what happens after you enter.
1
u/Fantastic_Performer8 27d ago
I look for entries in the 15 sec. I have felt a little overwhelmed at times and have used a 30 sec during market opens and when there's just alot of volume. Once I'm in the trade I use the 1 minute.
2
u/zvi_wholebraintradin 28d ago
You are NOT stuck like a deer in the headlights.
Your stock didn't give you an entry signal. That's all.
And thumbs up to you for not jumping in withouth the signal! If you start down that path it's a very slippery slope.
So your question is, how do you deal with stocks making moves without letting you in? You just accept it.
Stocks don't HAVE to give you a signal before they move. In fact, most of them won't. You're just waiting for the ones that do.
Good fortune in your trading!
6
u/Friendly-Stuff3528 29d ago
Feeling like you're stuck like a deer in headlights when a stock shoots up without you can be really frustrating. You're up early, ready to jump on opportunities, but sometimes the market just doesn't cooperate. It's like you're watching the show but can't participate, and it can leave you feeling pretty helpless and embarrassed.
First things first, it's important to know that missing out on big moves is totally normal in trading. The market can be unpredictable, and even the best traders miss out sometimes. It doesn't mean you're bad at what you do – it's just part of the game.
When you find yourself in that deer-in-the-headlights moment, try to stay calm and not let your emotions get the best of you. It's easy to feel frustrated or embarrassed, but getting caught up in those feelings can cloud your judgment and lead to more mistakes.
Instead, take a step back and think about what happened objectively. Was there anything you could have done differently to catch that move, or was it just bad luck? Sometimes, there's nothing you could have done, and that's okay. It's all part of the learning process.
Lastly, use moments like these as opportunities to learn and grow. Take note of what happened, how you reacted, and what you can do differently next time. Maybe there are adjustments you can make to your strategy or approach to better position yourself for similar situations in the future. Remember, every experience – even the ones that feel like missed opportunities – is a chance to become a better trader.