Gator Oscillator
Overview
The Gator Oscillator is a histogram companion to the Alligator indicator, visualising the degree of convergence or divergence between the Alligator's three smoothed moving averages. It makes it easier to see when the Alligator is sleeping, awakening, eating, or sated — key phases in Bill Williams' trading system. Use both indicators together on TradingView and pair with the Awesome Oscillator for the complete Williams toolkit.
How It Works
The Gator plots two histograms: the upper histogram shows the absolute difference between the Jaw and Teeth, while the lower histogram shows the absolute difference between the Teeth and Lips. Green bars (increasing) mean the lines are separating (trend strengthening); red bars (decreasing) mean they are converging.
Key Signals
- Both histograms showing green bars = Alligator eating (strong trend in progress).
- Upper bars turning red while lower bars are green = trend slowing, potential reversal.
- Both histograms near zero = Alligator sleeping (range-bound, avoid trades).
- Bars expanding from near zero = awakening phase and start of a new trend.
Common Mistakes
- Trading during the sleeping phase when both histograms are compressed.
- Using the Gator Oscillator in isolation without the Alligator overlay for directional context.
- Confusing Gator Oscillator bar colours with price direction — they show line separation, not trend direction.
More Oscillators Indicators
ROC — Rate of Change
Rate of Change measures the percentage change in price over a specified period — the simplest momentum indicator that provides a clear picture of whether price acceleration is increasing or decreasing. ROC works across <a href="/market/stocks" class="text-primary hover:underline">stocks</a>, <a href="/market/crypto" class="text-primary hover:underline">crypto</a>, and <a href="/market/forex" class="text-primary hover:underline">forex</a>, making it a versatile addition to any <a href="/strategies" class="text-primary hover:underline">trading strategy</a>. Use ROC divergence as an early warning signal alongside tools from our <a href="/academy/indicators" class="text-primary hover:underline">indicator guide library</a> for multi-factor confirmation before entering a trade.
Money Flow Index (MFI)
Money Flow Index is a volume-weighted <a href="/academy/indicators/rsi" class="text-primary hover:underline">RSI</a> that incorporates both price and volume data, providing a more complete picture of buying and selling pressure than RSI alone. MFI divergence carries extra weight because it reflects real capital commitment, making it invaluable for <a href="/market/crypto" class="text-primary hover:underline">crypto</a> and <a href="/market/stocks" class="text-primary hover:underline">stock</a> traders. Pair MFI readings with your <a href="/strategies" class="text-primary hover:underline">trading strategies</a> and always confirm signals with price structure. Explore our complete <a href="/academy/indicators" class="text-primary hover:underline">indicator guide library</a> to find complementary oscillators and volume tools.
Williams %R
Williams %R is a momentum oscillator that measures where the current close sits relative to the highest high over a lookback period — essentially the inverse of the <a href="/academy/indicators/stochastic-oscillator" class="text-primary hover:underline">Stochastic Oscillator</a>, excelling at identifying reversal zones. It is most effective in range-bound <a href="/market/forex" class="text-primary hover:underline">forex</a> and <a href="/market/stocks" class="text-primary hover:underline">stock</a> markets where clear support and resistance levels exist. Combine %R with trend-following <a href="/strategies" class="text-primary hover:underline">strategies</a> to take only high-probability entries in the direction of the dominant trend.
Bears Power / Bulls Power
Bears Power and Bulls Power — collectively known as the Elder-Ray Index — measure the strength of buyers and sellers relative to a 13-period <a href="/academy/indicators/exponential-moving-average" class="text-primary hover:underline">EMA</a>, helping traders assess the balance of power at any given moment. Developed by Alexander Elder, this system works best when the EMA is trending and one of the power readings dips to near zero in the trend direction. Combine it with the <a href="/academy/indicators/force-index" class="text-primary hover:underline">Force Index</a> for the full Elder trading system across <a href="/market/stocks" class="text-primary hover:underline">stocks</a> and <a href="/market/forex" class="text-primary hover:underline">forex</a>.