There are many rules to consider when trading with Bollinger Bands. The indicator appears difficult to understand on paper, but when the rules are followed, trading with Bollinger Bands can be both rewarding and easy to understand.

20 and 2 are just the default values – These periods are just a starting point. Yes they are effective, but adjustments will need to be made as you change timeframes. Your period (20) and standard deviation (2) will need to be smoothed or not directly related to the timeframe you are trading. For highly volatile markets consider making an adjustment to your period (20).

Bollinger bands do not work alone. – This is what most people would have you believe, but I’m here to tell that an effective Bollinger band strategy can trade with the bands exclusively with incredible results. I do use other indicators but only as confirmation tools and tools for perspective. Bollinger bands work well alone provided you understand how to read them correctly.

Stick with the trend. – It goes without saying that you ought to wait for a signal ands trigger in favor of the trend. Trading opposite the trend should be left to expert traders only. Use pivots and support and resistance to identify trend and direction, and take the triggers in favor of the trend.

Following the bands. – Yes, rather than revert to the mean price will often gravitate to either band and head in that direction aggressively. This is one of the huge profit potential zones Bollinger bands offers. For clues on whether price will reverse or follow the bands with the band reaction as price approaches.

Bollinger bands are an excellent tool when used with other forms of technical analysis. If you are looking at other chart patterns or formations use Bollinger bands and the reversion to the mean in conjunction with the pattern for better accuracy. For example a bullish patterns penetrating the lower band(s) can together give you near perfect entry.

If you are already familiar with trend lines and support and resistance, then adding Bollinger bands to this type of trading is an excellent combination. Bollinger bands will help to identify high probability zones when combined with a trend line / support and resistance style of trading.

Bollinger bands has just 2 values to set. The first is the N value, the second, K value is the standard deviation. 2 standard deviations is pretty common and works rather well in all timeframes. I like to set-up a 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 standard deviation one on top of the other. As far as the N value 10 is the absolute minimum. This is the look-back period and anything less than 10 is just noise.

Bollinger bands are not necessarily perfect for short trend and high volatility. Bollinger bands does measure and display high volatility it is not as effective on a 1to 5 minute chart as it is on say a 15 minute or hourly chart. Shorter term charts can experience volatility spikes that Bollinger bands may not signal.

It’s true that Bollinger bands is a lagging indicator. It’s also true that the Bands move after price and not before. One thing that most people don’t understand is that a close look at how the bands respond to price as it approaches is the key to making a killing with Bollinger bands.

Bollinger Band width is important too – Often forgotten, the width of the Bollinger Band does serve some importance to trading, especially in the realm of reversals and changes in direction. Mixing candlestick analysis with contractions in the Band width is a great way to trade reversals.