What Would Joel Do?

Understanding Joel Harrison’s Trading Style (Made Simple for Beginners)

Joel Harrison is known for combining two popular trading approaches: ICT (Inner Circle Trader) concepts — which focus on how big institutional traders move the market — and the Ichimoku Cloud, a Japanese charting tool that helps show the overall trend at a glance.

His style (often called “WWJD” or “What Would Joel Do”) looks for high-probability setups by combining smart-money ideas with clear trend confirmation. Here’s everything explained in plain, easy-to-understand language:

Joel’s Step-by-Step Trading Checklist

1. Is the Price “Cheap” or “Expensive”? (Premium vs Discount Zones)

Joel always checks whether the current price is in a relatively cheap zone (good area for buying) or an expensive zone (good area for selling).

• He typically uses the 50% midpoint (equilibrium level) of the recent price range as his main reference.
• Below the midpoint = generally considered a discount (cheaper) zone → favors buying.
• Above the midpoint = premium (expensive) zone → favors selling.

2. Confirm the Trend with the Ichimoku Cloud

The Ichimoku Cloud is a shaded area on the chart that gives a quick picture of trend direction, support, and resistance.

• If price is above the cloud → overall trend is usually bullish (up).
• If price is below the cloud → overall trend is usually bearish (down).
• The cloud itself often acts as dynamic support (in uptrends) or resistance (in downtrends).

Joel uses the cloud to add confidence and make sure he is trading in the same direction as the broader trend.

3. Look for Institutional Clues (Order Flow Signatures)

Once the zone and trend are favorable, he looks for areas where big institutions likely entered the market before:

• Fair Value Gaps (Imbalances): Areas where price moved very quickly, leaving a “gap” that price often returns to fill later.
• Order Blocks: Zones where smart money previously showed strong buying or selling interest. These areas can act like magnets when price revisits them.

4. Execute with Patience and Strong Risk Management

• Market Structure Shift (MSS): He waits for a clear change in the pattern of highs and lows (e.g., breaking a recent high in an uptrend).
• Candle Confirmation: Prefers to wait for candles to fully close rather than jumping in early.
• Consequent Encroachment: Pays attention to the 50% level of long wicks for potential rejection points.
• Always uses proper stop-losses and aims for favorable risk-reward ratios.

Simple Summary – “What Would Joel Do?” (WWJD)

Joel would typically wait for price to enter a favorable cheap or expensive zone, confirm the direction with the Ichimoku Cloud, look for a Market Structure Shift, and then enter on a pullback into an institutional level such as a Fair Value Gap or Order Block.

Key Principle: He is extremely patient and only takes trades when multiple factors line up together. This helps filter out lower-probability setups.

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Follow Joel Harrison (WWJD)

• YouTube (Main Channel): What Would Joel Do?
• Facebook Page: WhatWouldJoelDo
• Personal Facebook: Joel Rodney Harrison
• Website: joelrodneyharrison.com

Disclaimer: This is an educational summary based on publicly available information about Joel Harrison’s teaching style. Trading and investing involve significant risk of loss. This is not financial advice. Always do your own research and consider consulting a qualified advisor.