Paul Tudor Jones uses just the 200 sma to determine a change of trend. He claims in numerous interviews that he likes to pick tops and bottoms and uses the 200 sma to do so. For investors, the 200 sma is a good indicator to build around a trading system on.
What a tiring debate, debating TA vs pure PA. Zealots on both sides defending their positions, acting as if just because they couldn't be profitable with something it means that no one else could possibly do it. Is that not that the perfect example of having delusions of grandeur? Both can work independently as well as separate, even together without conflict. I know that's kind of a dramatic statement, but still it defies logic to the degree that it's almost as people are acting in bad faith.
You are making too much sense. Got into a debate about TA about a month ago and it was a complete waste of time.
Or the MacOS, Windows, Linux arguments. They think in absolutes, and cannot figure out which tools are best for which jobs. We all know how well that works out in trading. For the OP. There are signs that are required but not sufficient. E.g. Trend has to be there to start with. Climax in price and volume, not necessarily at the same time, and restest at least once, and failure at least once, and a failure of support, then momentum in the opposite direction. Think of a car going forward. It has to slow down, then stop and then go in reverse. Almost always not in a smooth fashion. Like you have 12 backseat drivers all yelling and threatening.