# Bollinger Band Breakouts - How to Log Them

> Bollinger Bands are excellent for tracking volatility expansion. Learn how to log breakouts and squeezes in your trading journal.

**Tags:** bollinger-bands, breakouts, volatility, journaling
**URL:** https://traderjournal.app/technical-indicators/bollinger-band-breakouts-how-to-log

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# Bollinger Band Breakouts - How to Log Them

Bollinger Bands measure market volatility. When the bands contract, it indicates a low-volatility period known as a squeeze. When the bands expand, it indicates a breakout.

Journaling Bollinger Band setups helps you understand whether you are better at trading the breakout (trend following) or trading the mean reversion (buying the outer bands during ranges).

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## Key Metrics to Track for Bollinger Bands

Ensure your journal entries capture these parameters:

- **Band Width:** Note if the bands were exceptionally tight (a squeeze setup) before entry.
- **Entry Location:** Note if you entered on a close outside the bands or on a touch of the middle band (20 SMA).
- **Volatility Filter:** Record if you used another indicator, like Average True Range (ATR), to confirm the breakout.

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## Mean Reversion vs. Breakouts

Many traders lose money because they try to trade mean reversion during a strong trend, or try to trade breakouts during a range.

Your journal will reveal your strengths. If your trades tagged "bb-reversion" are losing money but "bb-breakout" trades are winning, you should stop fighting the trend and focus entirely on breakout setups.

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## The Value of Screenshots

For volatility breakout trades, screenshots are invaluable. Capture the chart at the moment the bands expand. This helps you recognize the visual pattern of a valid breakout versus a fake breakout.

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Trader Journal for MT4 and MT5 allows you to attach screenshots and notes to your synced trades, keeping all your Bollinger Band trade data in one place.

Download it today at android.traderjournal.app or ios.traderjournal.app.