Motive Wave Variants · Lesson 1 of 6

The Leading Diagonal.

The leading diagonal is a 5-wave structure that appears at the START of a new trend. Classical theory describes it as a converging wedge with Wave 4 overlapping Wave 1, but in practice, the wedge with overlap is more textbook than reality. In today's markets, many structures that LOOK like clean impulses are actually leading diagonals: no overlap required, but with the telltale 3-3-3-3-3 sub-wave count. The real diagnostic is the sub-structure, not the shape.

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Figure I
The wedge at the start of a trend
Wave Personality
Wave 1
The First Move
Skeptical

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Rule violated: Wave 4 cannot enter Wave 1's territory
Price Time Upper line (1-3) Lower line (2-4) Contracting wedge: upper line through W1-W3 tops, lower line through W2-W4 lows. Both lines converge to the right. W1-top W4-low W4-W1 overlap (when it happens) The W4-W1 overlap helps confirm a diagonal when it appears, but is NOT required. Many real-world LDs have no overlap. W5 throw-over Throw-over: W5 commonly pierces slightly above the upper trendline, then reverses sharply. Leading diagonals appear at the START of trends: as Wave 1 of an impulse (larger or smaller degree) or as Wave A of a zigzag. W4-low (typ. target) Sharp reversal Post-LD: the reversal after a leading diagonal is typically SHARP and often returns at least to the W4-low area. a b c a b c a b c a b c a b c 1 2 3 4 5
Step 1 of 8

The Pattern Begins

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