SMA9 — Price Direction
What it is and how it is calculated
SMA9 is a simple moving average of the last 9 candle closes on the timeframe — the plain arithmetic mean, including the candle that is still forming.
Firedrake does not show the average itself; it shows where the current price is relative to it:
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Up | The current price is at or above the 9-candle average. |
| Down | The current price is below the 9-candle average. |
| — | Not enough data on this timeframe yet. |
In the strategy form this group is called Price Direction (SMA9).
What it is for
SMA9 answers a simple question: is the price moving up or down right now on this timeframe? Because the average is short (9 candles), it reacts quickly and is mostly used for timing:
- to confirm that a bounce has actually started (Up) before buying;
- to confirm that a drop is under way (Down) before selling;
- to avoid entering against the immediate move.
Being fast, SMA9 also flips often on low timeframes. On its own it is a weak signal; it works best as a confirmation for other indicators.
How to use it
In the screener and in strategies you choose Up, Down or both for each timeframe. Leaving it empty means "any direction".
Typical settings
| Idea | Setting |
|---|---|
| Buy only after the bounce starts | 5m or 15m SMA9 = Up |
| Trend-following long | 1h SMA9 = Up and 4h SMA9 = Up |
| Short only while the price is falling | 15m SMA9 = Down |
Combinations
- Oversold zone + SMA9 Up. An MRC Oversold zone says the price is cheap; SMA9 Up on the same or a lower timeframe says it has started to turn. Together they avoid buying while the price is still sliding.
- SMA9 + cloud colour. SMA9 Up on 15m with a blue 1h cloud — a short-term upswing in the direction of the larger trend.
- SMA9 against RSI. RSI below 30 with SMA9 still Down means the drop is continuing; wait for Up.
Ready-made screener filter sets: Monitoring in the Screener.