Playbook 03 · Slide 05 of 10 · Trend Direction · The 9/20 EMA Pair · Directional Bias

The 9/20 EMA Foundation

Before you trade the School Run or the Fishing Technique, check the EMA bias. The 9 and 20 EMA tell you which direction to favor for the session.

Fast EMA

Short-term momentum

Slow EMA

Intermediate trend

Bullish

9 > 20

Favor longs

Bearish

9 < 20

Favor shorts

How the 9/20 EMA Works

9 EMA (Fast): Tracks short-term momentum. Reacts quickly to price changes.

20 EMA (Slow): Tracks the intermediate trend. Smoother, slower to react.

9 above 20: Bullish bias. Momentum is pushing higher. Favor long setups.

9 below 20: Bearish bias. Momentum is pushing lower. Favor short setups.

Crossing: When the 9 crosses the 20, a shift in momentum is underway. Be cautious until the cross completes.

EMA + School Run Rules

Trend day buy: Only if 9 EMA > 20 EMA. Don't buy into bearish EMA.

Trend day sell: Only if 9 EMA < 20 EMA. Don't sell into bullish EMA.

Range day fish: EMA bias must align with Fishing signal direction.

Neutral: If EMAs are flat or crossing, reduce size by 50% or wait.

⚠ The EMA is a filter, not a trigger. The 9/20 EMA tells you which direction to favor. It does NOT tell you when to enter. Entry comes from the School Run bracket interaction or the Fishing Technique stop-run. The EMA confirms — the bracket or Fishing triggers.

Strong Bullish

9 EMA rising above 20 EMA

Both EMAs angling upward

Price above both EMAs

Full size longs

Strong Bearish

9 EMA falling below 20 EMA

Both EMAs angling downward

Price below both EMAs

Full size shorts

Neutral / Crossing

EMAs flat or converging

Price choppy between EMAs

No clear direction

Reduce size or wait