Why Market Context Comes Before Entry Signals

A footprint imbalance may look bullish in one location and much less useful in another.

Near the bottom of a well-defined range, it could support a recovery scenario. After a long rally directly into resistance, the same imbalance might be late buying.

The pattern hasn't changed. The context has.

Before looking for an entry, I ask three questions: Where is price? What has the market been doing? What would invalidate my idea?

That sequence helps me avoid treating every signal as equal.