ianzeng123
Why Do Traditional Trend-Following Strategies Frequently “Crash” in Choppy Markets?
As a quantitative trading practitioner, I’m often asked this question: Why do strategies that perform excellently in trending markets start experiencing significant drawdowns once choppy conditions emerge?
The answer is actually quite simple: Most trend-following strategies suffer from “trend obsession” - they always try to maintain high-frequency trading in any market environment, ignoring a fundamental fact: markets spend 70% of their time in sideways consolidation.
The “Trend Ladder Average Strategy” we’re analyzing today addresses this pain point with an interesting solution: actively track in trending markets, “gracefully lie flat” in choppy markets.
What is “Ladder Average”? How Does This Concept Redefine Trend Following?
Traditional moving average strategies have a fatal flaw: they’re always changing. Whether the market is in a strong trend or sideways consolidation, moving averages constantly adjust with price fluctuations, leading to numerous false signals.
The core idea of “Ladder Average” is: let the moving average “freeze” under specific conditions.
The specific implementation logic is as follows:
Trend State Detection: Use ADX indicator to judge market trend strength
- ADX > 25: Strong trending market
- Moving average slope < 0.3%: Sideways market
Dynamic Moving Average Switching:
- Strong trend: Normal EMA(21) tracking
- Sideways: Moving average “freezes” at horizontal position, forming support/resistance
The brilliance of this design lies in: it makes the strategy exhibit different “personalities” in different market environments - sensitive during trends, steady during consolidation.
How to Implement the “Trend Catching” System?
Besides the basic ladder average mechanism, this strategy also integrates a “trend catching” module, which I consider the most innovative part:
Quick Reversal Mechanism: - When a strong counter-trend emerges right after closing a position - Quickly establish new positions within 3 periods - Conditions: ADX > 30 and DI+/DI- difference > 10
This design solves an important problem with traditional strategies: how to quickly adjust positions during early trend reversals.
Imagine this scenario: you just closed a long position due to stop loss, and the market immediately shows a strong downward trend. Traditional strategies might need to wait for new signal confirmation, but this “trend catching” system can quickly establish short positions within 3 periods.
Risk Management: Why Differentiate Market States?
The most valuable aspect of this strategy is its differentiated risk management mechanism:
Risk Control in Sideways Markets: - Adjust stop loss near ladder average - Reduce ATR multiplier, tighten stops - Set more conservative profit targets
Risk Control in Trending Markets: - Use standard ATR multiplier stops - Enable ladder-style trailing stops - Allow larger price fluctuation space
This design reflects an important trading philosophy: different market environments require different risk preferences. In sideways markets, we should be more cautious; in trending markets, we need to give profits more room to run.
Ladder Trailing Stop: How to Balance Profit Protection with Trend Following?
Traditional trailing stops are often too mechanical - either too tight causing premature exits, or too loose failing to effectively protect profits. This strategy’s ladder trailing stop provides a more intelligent solution:
Ladder Setup Logic: - Dynamically calculate ladder spacing based on ATR - Set maximum of 5 ladder levels - Adjust stop loss accordingly when each ladder is breached
The advantage of this design: it can protect profits while giving trends sufficient development space.
What Should You Pay Attention to in Practical Application?
Based on my live trading experience, using this type of strategy requires attention to the following points:
Parameter Optimization Trap: Don’t over-optimize ADX thresholds; values between 25-30 perform stably in most markets
Market Adaptability: This strategy is more suitable for moderately volatile markets; in extreme volatility environments, ATR multipliers may need adjustment
Money Management: Recommend single position size not exceeding 10% of total capital, especially when trend catching is enabled
Backtesting Trap: Pay special attention to slippage and commission impacts, particularly frequent trading in choppy markets
Where is the Innovation Value of This Strategy?
From the perspective of quantitative strategy development, this strategy represents an important evolutionary direction: transition from single logic to multi-state adaptive systems.
Traditional strategies often try to use one fixed logic for all market conditions, while this strategy demonstrates “local adaptation” wisdom: - Behaves like an aggressive trend follower in trending markets - Behaves like a conservative range trader in choppy markets
This design approach has important implications for strategy developers: we should give strategies “market perception” capabilities rather than blindly executing fixed logic.
Finally, it’s important to emphasize that no strategy is omnipotent. While this ladder average strategy is theoretically elegant, it still needs to be adjusted according to specific market environments and personal risk preferences in practical application. Remember, the best strategy is always the one that suits you best.
/*backtest
start: 2024-10-09 00:00:00
end: 2025-10-07 08:00:00
period: 1d
basePeriod: 1d
exchanges: [{"eid":"Futures_Binance","currency":"SOL_USDT","balance":500000}]
*/
//@version=5
strategy("Trend Following Ladder Average Strategy", overlay=true, default_qty_type=strategy.percent_of_equity, default_qty_value=10)
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// SETTINGS AND PARAMETERS
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// Ladder Average Settings
ma_length = input.int(title="Average Period", defval=21, minval=5)
ma_type = input.string(title="Average Type", defval="EMA", options=["SMA", "EMA", "WMA"])
// Trend Strength Settings
adx_length = input.int(title="Trend Strength Period (ADX)", defval=14, minval=5)
trend_threshold = input.float(title="Trend Strength Threshold", defval=25.0, minval=10.0, step=5.0)
sideways_slope_threshold = input.float(title="Sideways Market Slope Threshold", defval=0.3, minval=0.1, step=0.1)
// Trend Catching Settings
enable_trend_catch = input.bool(title="Trend Catching System", defval=true)
trend_catch_adx_threshold = input.float(title="Trend Catch ADX Threshold", defval=30.0, minval=20.0, step=5.0)
trend_catch_di_diff = input.float(title="DI+ DI- Difference Threshold", defval=10.0, minval=5.0, step=2.5)
quick_entry_bars = input.int(title="Quick Entry Waiting Bars", defval=3, minval=1, maxval=10)
// ATR and Volatility Settings
atr_length = input.int(title="ATR Period", defval=14, minval=1)
atr_multiplier = input.float(title="ATR Multiplier", defval=2.0, minval=0.1, step=0.1)
// Ladder Trailing Stop Settings
ladder_step = input.float(title="Ladder Step Size (%)", defval=1.0, minval=0.1, step=0.1)
max_ladders = input.int(title="Maximum Ladder Count", defval=5, minval=2, maxval=10)
// Stop Loss and Take Profit Settings
use_stop_loss = input.bool(title="Use Stop Loss", defval=false)
use_take_profit = input.bool(title="Use Take Profit", defval=false)
use_trailing_stop = input.bool(title="Use Trailing Stop", defval=true)
sl_type = input.string(title="Stop Loss Type", defval="ATR", options=["ATR", "Percent", "Points"])
sl_atr_multiplier = input.float(title="SL ATR Multiplier", defval=2.0, minval=0.5, step=0.1)
sl_percent = input.float(title="SL Percent (%)", defval=2.0, minval=0.1, step=0.1)
sl_points = input.float(title="SL Points", defval=100, minval=1)
tp_type = input.string(title="Take Profit Type", defval="ATR", options=["ATR", "Percent", "Points", "Risk/Reward"])
tp_atr_multiplier = input.float(title="TP ATR Multiplier", defval=3.0, minval=0.5, step=0.1)
tp_percent = input.float(title="TP Percent (%)", defval=3.0, minval=0.1, step=0.1)
tp_points = input.float(title="TP Points", defval=150, minval=1)
tp_risk_reward = input.float(title="Risk/Reward Ratio", defval=2.0, minval=0.5, step=0.1)
// Horizontal Level Settings
horizontal_lookback = input.int(title="Horizontal Level Stabilization Period", defval=10, minval=3)
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// INDICATORS AND CALCULATIONS
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// ATR calculation
atr_value = ta.atr(atr_length)
// Moving Average calculation
ma_value = ma_type == "SMA" ? ta.sma(close, ma_length) : ma_type == "EMA" ? ta.ema(close, ma_length) : ma_type == "WMA" ? ta.wma(close, ma_length) : ta.ema(close, ma_length)
// ADX (Trend Strength) calculation - Manual calculation
tr = math.max(high - low, math.max(math.abs(high - close[1]), math.abs(low - close[1])))
plus_dm = high - high[1] > low[1] - low ? math.max(high - high[1], 0) : 0
minus_dm = low[1] - low > high - high[1] ? math.max(low[1] - low, 0) : 0
plus_di = 100 * ta.rma(plus_dm, adx_length) / ta.rma(tr, adx_length)
minus_di = 100 * ta.rma(minus_dm, adx_length) / ta.rma(tr, adx_length)
adx_value = 100 * ta.rma(math.abs(plus_di - minus_di) / (plus_di + minus_di), adx_length)
// MA slope calculation (for sideways market detection)
ma_slope = (ma_value - ma_value[5]) / ma_value[5] * 100
// Trend state detection
is_strong_trend = adx_value > trend_threshold
is_sideways_by_slope = math.abs(ma_slope) < sideways_slope_threshold
is_sideways = not is_strong_trend or is_sideways_by_slope
// Trend direction detection (DI+ vs DI-)
is_uptrend = plus_di > minus_di
is_downtrend = minus_di > plus_di
di_difference = math.abs(plus_di - minus_di)
// Strong trend momentum detection
strong_uptrend = adx_value > trend_catch_adx_threshold and plus_di > minus_di and di_difference > trend_catch_di_diff
strong_downtrend = adx_value > trend_catch_adx_threshold and minus_di > plus_di and di_difference > trend_catch_di_diff
// Position tracking system
var bool just_closed_long = false
var bool just_closed_short = false
var int bars_since_close = 0
// Position closure tracking - Fixed
if strategy.position_size == 0 and strategy.position_size[1] != 0
if strategy.position_size[1] > 0
just_closed_long := true
just_closed_short := false
else
just_closed_short := true
just_closed_long := false
bars_since_close := 0
else if strategy.position_size == 0
bars_since_close += 1
if bars_since_close > quick_entry_bars
just_closed_long := false
just_closed_short := false
else
just_closed_long := false
just_closed_short := false
bars_since_close := 0
// Ladder Average System
var float ladder_ma = na
var float horizontal_level = na
var int sideways_count = 0
// Trend-following ladder average
if is_strong_trend and not is_sideways_by_slope
// Normal MA tracking in strong trend
ladder_ma := ma_value
sideways_count := 0
else
// When trend weakens or in sideways market
sideways_count += 1
if sideways_count >= horizontal_lookback or na(horizontal_level)
horizontal_level := ma_value
ladder_ma := horizontal_level
// Market state
market_state = is_strong_trend and not is_sideways_by_slope ? "TREND" : "SIDEWAYS"
// Volatility measurement
volatility = atr_value / close * 100
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// STOP LOSS AND TAKE PROFIT CALCULATIONS
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// Stop Loss calculation function
calculate_stop_loss(entry_price_val, is_long) =>
sl_value = sl_type == "ATR" ? (is_long ? entry_price_val - (atr_value * sl_atr_multiplier) : entry_price_val + (atr_value * sl_atr_multiplier)) : sl_type == "Percent" ? (is_long ? entry_price_val * (1 - sl_percent / 100) : entry_price_val * (1 + sl_percent / 100)) : sl_type == "Points" ? (is_long ? entry_price_val - sl_points : entry_price_val + sl_points) : (is_long ? entry_price_val - (atr_value * sl_atr_multiplier) : entry_price_val + (atr_value * sl_atr_multiplier))
sl_adjusted = if is_sideways
is_long ? math.min(sl_value, ladder_ma - atr_value * 0.5) : math.max(sl_value, ladder_ma + atr_value * 0.5)
else
sl_value
sl_adjusted
// Take Profit calculation function
calculate_take_profit(entry_price_val, stop_loss_val, is_long) =>
tp_value = tp_type == "ATR" ? (is_long ? entry_price_val + (atr_value * tp_atr_multiplier) : entry_price_val - (atr_value * tp_atr_multiplier)) : tp_type == "Percent" ? (is_long ? entry_price_val * (1 + tp_percent / 100) : entry_price_val * (1 - tp_percent / 100)) : tp_type == "Points" ? (is_long ? entry_price_val + tp_points : entry_price_val - tp_points) : tp_type == "Risk/Reward" ? (is_long ? entry_price_val + (math.abs(entry_price_val - stop_loss_val) * tp_risk_reward) : entry_price_val - (math.abs(entry_price_val - stop_loss_val) * tp_risk_reward)) : (is_long ? entry_price_val + (atr_value * tp_atr_multiplier) : entry_price_val - (atr_value * tp_atr_multiplier))
tp_adjusted = if is_sideways
is_long ? math.max(tp_value, ladder_ma + atr_value * 1.5) : math.min(tp_value, ladder_ma - atr_value * 1.5)
else
tp_value
tp_adjusted
var float current_sl = na
var float current_tp = na
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// ENTRY SIGNALS
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// Normal entry conditions
normal_long = strategy.position_size == 0 and ((is_strong_trend and close > ladder_ma and close[1] <= ladder_ma[1]) or (is_sideways and close < ladder_ma and close > ladder_ma - atr_value))
normal_short = strategy.position_size == 0 and ((is_strong_trend and close < ladder_ma and close[1] >= ladder_ma[1]) or (is_sideways and close > ladder_ma and close < ladder_ma + atr_value))
// Trend catching entry conditions
trend_catch_long = enable_trend_catch and strategy.position_size == 0 and just_closed_short and bars_since_close <= quick_entry_bars and strong_uptrend and close > close[1] and close > ladder_ma
trend_catch_short = enable_trend_catch and strategy.position_size == 0 and just_closed_long and bars_since_close <= quick_entry_bars and strong_downtrend and close < close[1] and close < ladder_ma
// Strong momentum entry conditions (even if no position closed, but strong trend exists)
momentum_long = enable_trend_catch and strategy.position_size == 0 and strong_uptrend and close > ladder_ma and close > close[1] and close > open
momentum_short = enable_trend_catch and strategy.position_size == 0 and strong_downtrend and close < ladder_ma and close < close[1] and close < open
// Combined entry conditions
long_condition = normal_long or trend_catch_long or momentum_long
short_condition = normal_short or trend_catch_short or momentum_short
// Entry type determination
entry_type = if trend_catch_long or trend_catch_short
"TREND_CATCH"
else if momentum_long or momentum_short
"MOMENTUM"
else
market_state
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// LADDER TRAILING STOP SYSTEM
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
var float[] ladder_levels = array.new<float>()
var float current_trailing_stop = na
var float entry_price = na
// Calculate ladder levels function
calculate_ladder_levels(entry_price_val, is_long) =>
ladder_array = array.new<float>()
base_level = ladder_ma
for i = 1 to max_ladders
level_value = if is_long
base_level + (atr_value * atr_multiplier * i * ladder_step / 100)
else
base_level - (atr_value * atr_multiplier * i * ladder_step / 100)
array.push(ladder_array, level_value)
ladder_array
// Trailing stop update function
update_trailing_stop(entry_price_val, current_price, is_long) =>
stop_level = if is_long
initial_stop = is_sideways ? ladder_ma - atr_value : entry_price_val - (atr_value * atr_multiplier)
new_stop = initial_stop
if array.size(ladder_levels) > 0
for i = 0 to array.size(ladder_levels) - 1
level_value = array.get(ladder_levels, i)
if current_price >= level_value
adjusted_stop = is_sideways ? ladder_ma : entry_price_val + (atr_value * atr_multiplier * (i + 1) * 0.3)
if adjusted_stop > new_stop
new_stop := adjusted_stop
new_stop
else
initial_stop = is_sideways ? ladder_ma + atr_value : entry_price_val + (atr_value * atr_multiplier)
new_stop = initial_stop
if array.size(ladder_levels) > 0
for i = 0 to array.size(ladder_levels) - 1
level_value = array.get(ladder_levels, i)
if current_price <= level_value
adjusted_stop = is_sideways ? ladder_ma : entry_price_val - (atr_value * atr_multiplier * (i + 1) * 0.3)
if adjusted_stop < new_stop
new_stop := adjusted_stop
new_stop
stop_level
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// POSITION MANAGEMENT
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// Long position entry
if long_condition
strategy.entry("Long", strategy.long, comment="Long: " + market_state)
entry_price := close
ladder_levels := calculate_ladder_levels(close, true)
// Stop Loss calculation (only if active)
if use_stop_loss
current_sl := calculate_stop_loss(close, true)
// Take Profit calculation (only if active)
if use_take_profit
temp_sl = use_stop_loss ? current_sl : close - (atr_value * sl_atr_multiplier)
current_tp := calculate_take_profit(close, temp_sl, true)
// Trailing stop initialization (only if active)
if use_trailing_stop
current_trailing_stop := is_sideways ? ladder_ma - atr_value : close - (atr_value * atr_multiplier)
// Short position entry
if short_condition
strategy.entry("Short", strategy.short, comment="Short: " + market_state)
entry_price := close
ladder_levels := calculate_ladder_levels(close, false)
// Stop Loss calculation (only if active)
if use_stop_loss
current_sl := calculate_stop_loss(close, false)
// Take Profit calculation (only if active)
if use_take_profit
temp_sl = use_stop_loss ? current_sl : close + (atr_value * sl_atr_multiplier)
current_tp := calculate_take_profit(close, temp_sl, false)
// Trailing stop initialization (only if active)
if use_trailing_stop
current_trailing_stop := is_sideways ? ladder_ma + atr_value : close + (atr_value * atr_multiplier)
// Position exit management
if strategy.position_size > 0 // Long position
// If using fixed SL/TP
if use_stop_loss and use_take_profit
strategy.exit("Long Exit", "Long", stop=current_sl, limit=current_tp, comment="SL/TP")
else if use_stop_loss and not use_take_profit
strategy.exit("Long Exit", "Long", stop=current_sl, comment="SL Only")
else if not use_stop_loss and use_take_profit
strategy.exit("Long Exit", "Long", limit=current_tp, comment="TP Only")
// If using trailing stop (optional)
if use_trailing_stop
current_trailing_stop := update_trailing_stop(entry_price, close, true)
if close <= current_trailing_stop
strategy.close("Long", comment="Trailing Stop")
if strategy.position_size < 0 // Short position
// If using fixed SL/TP
if use_stop_loss and use_take_profit
strategy.exit("Short Exit", "Short", stop=current_sl, limit=current_tp, comment="SL/TP")
else if use_stop_loss and not use_take_profit
strategy.exit("Short Exit", "Short", stop=current_sl, comment="SL Only")
else if not use_stop_loss and use_take_profit
strategy.exit("Short Exit", "Short", limit=current_tp, comment="TP Only")
// If using trailing stop (optional)
if use_trailing_stop
current_trailing_stop := update_trailing_stop(entry_price, close, false)
if close >= current_trailing_stop
strategy.close("Short", comment="Trailing Stop")
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// VISUALIZATION
// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
// Ladder Average plot
plot(ladder_ma, color=is_sideways ? color.orange : (ma_slope > 0 ? color.green : color.red), linewidth=3, title="Ladder Average")
// Horizontal level plot
plot(is_sideways ? horizontal_level : na, color=color.yellow, style=plot.style_circles, linewidth=2, title="Horizontal Level")
// ATR-based bands
upper_band = ladder_ma + atr_value
lower_band = ladder_ma - atr_value
plot(upper_band, color=color.new(color.blue, 70), title="Upper ATR Band")
plot(lower_band, color=color.new(color.blue, 70), title="Lower ATR Band")
// Stop Loss and Take Profit plots (only if active)
plot(strategy.position_size != 0 and use_stop_loss ? current_sl : na, color=color.red, style=plot.style_circles, linewidth=2, title="Stop Loss")
plot(strategy.position_size != 0 and use_take_profit ? current_tp : na, color=color.green, style=plot.style_circles, linewidth=2, title="Take Profit")
// Trailing stop plot (only if active)
plot(strategy.position_size > 0 and use_trailing_stop ? current_trailing_stop : na, color=color.orange, style=plot.style_stepline, linewidth=2, title="Long Trailing Stop")
plot(strategy.position_size < 0 and use_trailing_stop ? current_trailing_stop : na, color=color.orange, style=plot.style_stepline, linewidth=2, title="Short Trailing Stop")
// Market state background color
bgcolor(is_sideways ? color.new(color.yellow, 95) : (is_strong_trend ? color.new(color.green, 98) : color.new(color.gray, 98)), title="Market State")