The Easiest Way to Build a Trade Idea
on the Fly

A Simple Framework for Real-Time Trade Idea Generation

Ready for another week of spicy price? 🌶️
Good. (Not that I think we have a choice!)
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​So, let’s kick things off with something tactical…
​How to build intraday trade ideas on the fly.
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​We all know about rule-based strategies.
Stuff like the opening range breakout; very structured, clean rules, no ambiguity.
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These setups are great… when the market is in a certain rhythm.
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  • But what about if you are a trader who is more discretionary?
  • And what about when the market changes rhythm, or just doesn’t tip its hand until the bell?
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How do you stay in tune with what’s happening right now?
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How do you walk that tightrope between reacting to price and over-planning for something that may never happen?
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Here’s a framework I like to use:

THE DAY TRADER’S FRAMEWORK

Filter + Trigger.

That’s it.

The filter is like the safety on a weapon. No action until conditions are met.

The trigger? That’s your execution point, the trade entry.

So, let’s imagine we get a strong upside drive right off the open.

You don’t want to chase it (smart).
But you also don’t want to miss the move (also smart).

So, on the fly, you calibrate and build a few trading ideas, like this:

📊 Example Trade Ideas:

1. Aggressive Scalp

  • Filter: Price pulls back and trades below the 9-period SMA (1-min chart)
  • Trigger: Buy first green candle after that pullback

2. Play the Trend

  • Filter: Price pulls back and breaches an upsloping VWAP between 3:30–6:30 pm UK
  • Trigger: Buy as price reclaims VWAP

3. Afternoon Breakout

  • Filter: Price consolidates above VWAP and holds gains through the session
  • Trigger: Buy breakout to new highs after 6 pm UK

4. The Trap

  • Filter: Price trends higher for 4+ hours, then reverses sharply
  • Trigger: Short on a break below the day’s low

Different ideas. Same structure:

✅ A clear filter and trigger
✅ Proactive, not reactive
✅ Built for the market you have… not the market you wish for!

It’s about creating clarity fast and planning your next move, under pressure, without chasing price or panicking into a trade.

Whether that’s a quick scalp, or trying to get a leg in on a multi-day mover.

So, as the week unfolds…

Try thinking in the filters and triggers framework.

Ask yourself:
“Based on what I see right now, what would my filter and trigger need to be for me to take the next trade?”

Let that guide your decisions, not the noise.