My Rule for Using Order Flow

Order flow should help answer a specific question.

I don't want to open a footprint chart simply because I have access to one.

Before using it, I want to know what I'm trying to understand.

Am I checking whether aggressive buying is producing upward progress? Am I studying a potential absorption area? Am I evaluating whether a breakout is holding?

Each question gives the information a purpose.

Without a clear question, it's easy to interpret every imbalance, delta change, or large volume print as a trading signal.

My approach is to identify the market context, define the hypothesis, observe the evidence, and follow a predefined risk plan.

The best tool is not necessarily the one that displays the most information. It's the one that helps you make a better decision.