Triangles compress range and invite anticipation. Most of the pain comes from entering before the market has chosen a side, or from chasing a break that prints without participation.
Time and height filters
We ask cohorts to measure the triangle’s height at the start of the coil and the fraction of the apex still remaining. Breaks that fire after three-quarters of the triangle’s life often lack follow-through. Prefer earlier decisions with clear invalidation inside the pattern.
Volume as a veto
A break on declining volume is a candidate for a fakeout drill, not an automatic entry. Wait for a retest that holds, or reduce size until participation expands.
Ascending vs. symmetrical
Ascending triangles with flat resistance need evidence of absorption at that shelf. Symmetrical triangles need directional context from the prior trend. Without that context, treat the break as noise until structure confirms.