What Is a Trend-Following Order and a Counter-Trend Order丨2026.09.21丨System Classroom
A new week begins, and this week’s theme is to follow the trend. Last week, we used the terms “trend-following order” and “counter-trend order” multiple times: determining where the pressure lies, discussing the status of the mechanism, and reviewing capital utilization—all are built upon them. But strictly speaking, the definitions of these two terms have not been explained separately yet. Today, as the first article of the week, let’s first clarify the most basic concepts.
First, the takeaway: “trend-following” and “counter-trend” are relative to the current market state, not permanent labels. This sentence is the core of this article—and the starting point for all topics later this week.
This article discusses the concepts and methods for judging trend-following and counter-trend orders. It does not represent advice for ordinary users to set or modify platform parameters on their own. The strategy structure and parameters are part of the platform’s preset rules. Ordinary users can simply run with the default parameters; usually, all you need is to adjust the initial order and leverage based on your own account conditions.
1. Definitions of the two terms
Trend-following order: The position side whose direction matches the current price movement. When the price rises, going long and moving with the price is a trend-following order; when the price falls, shorting and moving with the price is a trend-following order.
Counter-trend order: The position side whose direction is opposite to the current price movement. When the price rises, the short position is taking unrealized loss; when the price falls, the long position is taking unrealized loss. The side bearing the pressure is the counter-trend order.
A new week begins, and this week’s theme is to follow the trend. Last week, we used the terms “trend-following order” and “counter-trend order” multiple times: determining where the pressure lies, discussing the status of the mechanism, and reviewing capital utilization—all are built upon them. But strictly speaking, the definitions of these two terms have not been explained separately yet. Today, as the first article of the week, let’s first clarify the most basic concepts.
First, the takeaway: “trend-following” and “counter-trend” are relative to the current market state, not permanent labels. This sentence is the core of this article—and the starting point for all topics later this week.
This article discusses the concepts and methods for judging trend-following and counter-trend orders. It does not represent advice for ordinary users to set or modify platform parameters on their own. The strategy structure and parameters are part of the platform’s preset rules. Ordinary users can simply run with the default parameters; usually, all you need is to adjust the initial order and leverage based on your own account conditions.
1. Definitions of the two terms
Trend-following order: The position side whose direction matches the current price movement. When the price rises, going long and moving with the price is a trend-following order; when the price falls, shorting and moving with the price is a trend-following order.
Counter-trend order: The position side whose direction is opposite to the current price movement. When the price rises, the short position is taking unrealized loss; when the price falls, the long position is taking unrealized loss. The side bearing the pressure is the counter-trend order.