The Point of Control (POC) Strategy is a volume-based trading method that centres around the price level where the most trading activity occurred during a session or range. As the highest-volume node within a Market Profile or Volume Profile, the POC represents the fairest price—a powerful zone for support, resistance, and trade decision-making.

This strategy is ideal for traders seeking precision and structure by using actual volume data to assess where market participants agreed most.

What Is the Point of Control (POC)?

The POC is the price level with the highest traded volume in a given session. It reflects the zone of maximum acceptance—where buyers and sellers transacted most frequently, forming a benchmark for fair value.

There are two types:

• Volume POC (VPOC): Based on highest volume traded at a price
• Time POC (TPO POC): Based on most time spent at a price

This strategy typically uses VPOC for more accurate and responsive trading signals.

Key Trading Principles Behind POC

1. Price gravitates toward the POC in balanced markets
2. A breakout above/below POC may signal new directional conviction
3. POC acts as a magnet, pivot, or rejection zone depending on market context
4. POC shifts day-to-day signal evolving value and sentiment

Trade Setups Using the POC Strategy

1. POC Reversion Trade

Objective: Fade temporary price extremes back to value.

Setup:

• Price moves significantly away from the POC
• Volume thins out or shows divergence at the extremes
• Entry: When price begins to stall and reverse
• Stop-loss: Beyond recent swing high/low
• Target: POC or midpoint of the profile

Best Used In: Range-bound or consolidating markets

2. POC Breakout Trade

Objective: Trade the directional breakout from POC when value shifts.

Setup:

• Price consolidates around POC
• Breakout occurs with strong volume and momentum
• Entry: On breakout above or below POC with confirmation
• Stop-loss: Inside value area
• Target: Measure from POC to edge of value area, or next high-volume node

Best Used In: Volatile, trend-forming conditions

3. POC Retest Trade (Support/Resistance Flip)

Objective: Trade a retest of POC after a breakout as a continuation entry.

Setup:

• Price breaks out from POC and trends away
• Pullback occurs and tests POC from the opposite side
• Entry: On bounce/rejection from POC with confirmation candle
• Stop-loss: Just beyond the POC zone
• Target: Previous high/low or trend continuation projection

Best Used In: Strong directional environments

4. Daily POC Shift Strategy

Objective: Trade in the direction of a developing trend based on POC shifts.

Setup:

• Observe successive POC levels (e.g. from previous sessions)
• If POC shifts higher each day, bias is bullish; lower = bearish
• Entry: On pullbacks to prior session POC or value zone
• Stop-loss: Below/above recent value low/high
• Target: Extension in trend direction or new high-volume level

Best Used In: Multi-day swing setups or structured trends

Best Tools to Implement POC Strategy

• Volume Profile or Market Profile Indicator: To visualise the POC
• VWAP: To gauge intraday bias
• Candlestick Patterns: Pin bars, engulfing candles at POC rejections
• RSI or MACD: To confirm momentum or divergence

Markets and Timeframes

• Markets: Futures, Forex (with tick volume), Stocks, Crypto
• Timeframes: Intraday (15M–1H), Daily (for swing), Weekly (for long-term zones)

POC strategies can be applied on any timeframe as long as the profile period is appropriate for the context.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming POC always acts as support/resistance: Context is key—watch for breakout or reversion conditions
• Trading without volume confirmation: Especially for breakouts
• Ignoring trend: POC trades work differently in trending vs balanced conditions

Conclusion

The Point of Control Strategy equips traders with a clear, data-driven reference point for identifying market structure, sentiment, and trade opportunities. Whether used for mean reversion, breakout confirmation, or trend alignment, the POC offers valuable insight into where the market sees value—and how to trade around it with consistency.

To master POC-based trading using volume profile, market context, and professional-level execution, enrol in our Trading Courses at Traders MBA and start using market structure to gain a true edge.