Trading can be a daunting task without the right tools and a clear plan of action. Despite the complexity and stress associated with trading, it is possible to be successful as a trader if you have the right trading system, good habits, mindset, patience, and knowledge. One of the most important indicators of success as a trader is using useful directional indicator criteria for your trading. Directional indicators are used as a way to help continuously assess the markets by predicting future trends. These indicators generally revolve around technical analysis, which is a form of analysis used to make informed decisions based on past price movements. There are a variety of indicators available, however, it can be difficult to know which one is suitable for your own personal trading strategy. It is important to remember that the criteria used for trading must also be suitable for the market in which it is being used. Here are some useful directional indicator criteria to consider. Moving Averages - Moving averages are a fundamental tool used by traders to identify the direction in which the price is likely to be heading. Moving averages help to identify market trends and changes by smoothing out the fluctuations of market prices. The two most commonly used moving averages are the simple moving average (SMA) and the exponential moving average (EMA). Each of these moving averages can assist in determining the overall trend and provide possible entry and exit points. Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) - A MACD is an indicator which combines the use of a slow and a fast moving averages to interpret momentum in the market. This is done by taking the difference between the two moving averages, thereby allowing the indicator to display the trend of the price. The MACD often provides an indication of the trend by highlighting any changes or breaks in the line. RSI- Relative Strength Index (RSI) is an indicator that is used to measure whether an asset is overbought or oversold. This is done by calculating the ratio between the average closing or opening price over the specified period of time. The RSI fluctuates between a value of zero and one hundred, with an RSI reading of greater than seventy considered overbought and less than thirty considered oversold. Support and Resistance - Support and resistance refer to levels of demand and supply which prevent the price of the asset from rising or falling. These levels correspond to the portion of the market that believes the price is too high or too low and is useful in predicting price movements. The use of support and resistance allows traders to better time when to enter and exit trades. Using the right indicators to your trading strategy can help to give you an edge as a trader. While it is important to incorporate all of these criteria into your trading, it is also important to find a balance which best suits your trading style and the market you are most comfortable in. By having a combination of prediction methods, it allows you to analyse price action in the market and make informed decisions as to the best time to enter and exit trades, leading to more successful trading.