Why traders should focus on core concepts

I get lot of emails from readers about scans, specific chart patterns or entry and exits. All these things are about tactics. The more critical thing in trading is basing your trading strategy on a core proven concept. If the core concept is sound and based on proven anomalies rest is all about tactics. Tactics is the easy stuff.  

Everything that is traded here or discussed here is based on  core ideas like historical breadth analysis, factor  equity selection models, historic precedent analysis f biggest winners in market, proven anomalies like momentum anomaly and PEAD (post earnings announcement drift), and risk management. 

Core Concept	Application
Market Breadth	Market Monitor
Equity selection	Momentum+growth+Event catalyst
Momentum Anomaly	Double Trouble
Momentum Anomaly	Modified Double Trouble
Historic biggest winners characters	Growth stock+IBD 100 and 200
Momentum Anomaly	IBD 100 + IBD 200
Post Earnings Announcement Drift	Earnings Episodic Pivots
Post news announcement drift	Other Episodic Pivots
Risk Management	Initial stop placement
Risk Management	Position Sizing Calculator
Risk Management	Fast exit on losing trades
Risk Management	Partial exits
Risk management	Exit in to euphoria
Risk management	Higher risk on conviction trades

If you feel these ideas can work for "you" and want to develop "expertise" at trading these ideas, you need to understand the core concepts in detail. The more you become knowledgeable at the core concept you will find it easier to trade methods based on that. You will be able to improve on them. The methods I trade are only "one of the ways to trade" these core concept. If you dig dipper you will find more possible ways to make them work. These are not the only core concept which work. Most of the things that work in he market are well researched and are in public domain. The latest book detailing many core concept that work in market is: Quantitative Strategies for Achieving Alpha (McGraw-Hill Finance & Investing)

Focusing on core concept that work in market is key to building a profitable strategy. As the  zen story  about learning goes, there are three types of people in the world. When they see a window or somebody shows them a window of opportunity:

1. The first kind looks at the scene from the window admire it or criticise it and walk away or close the windows.
2. The second kind piss all over the scene from the window
3. Jump out of the window to explore more and then .......

they find more windows of opportunities.