Point date versus confirmation date
In the saved example, point 1 belongs to 2026-01-29 but is confirmed only on 2026-02-03. Point 3 belongs to 2026-03-13 and is confirmed on 2026-03-23; point 5 belongs to 2026-03-30 and is confirmed on 2026-04-08. When reviewing a decision at a particular date, use only information already known at that time.
| Point | Extremum date | Confirmation date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026-01-29 | 2026-02-03 |
| 3 | 2026-03-13 | 2026-03-23 |
| 5 | 2026-03-30 | 2026-04-08 |
Numbers, letters, ? and +
Numbers and letters. 0 is the starting point, 1–5 the sequence of main moves and retracements, and A–B–C the following opposing part. Main moves rise in an upward sequence; a downward sequence is read in reverse. A number describes a position in the structure, not the strength of a trading signal. An absent next number means its conditions have not yet been met.
Provisional and confirmed points. ? marks a point still developing; it may move as price continues. + marks the bar on which the required check was met, which can be later than the high or low itself. Under the adopted rules, certain points 2 and 5 may also move as a sequence develops. A label beside an old price therefore does not mean it was already known on that date.
Historical AAL example
Follow 0 through 1–5 to A–B–C. Main downward moves alternate with upward retracements. The dashed line is a separate price reference; it need not coincide with point 5. One completed historical section is selected for explanation, rather than as a trade-entry example.
Practice: check your understanding on one chart
Find one confirmed SW Wave Structure point. Record the point's own date and the date when the calculation could confirm it. Use the second date as the availability boundary when reviewing the past.
What the completed observation should contain
A wave point date and its confirmation-availability date may differ; both matter in historical review.
Primary sources
Sources explain the mechanics and limitations; the editorial examples use invented numbers rather than market quotations.
Your next practical step
Open the linked help page, repeat the steps on one instrument, and record the symbol, timeframe, profile and observation date so that the result can be checked again.
Open the first-chart instructions ↗