Minor Degree
Minor degree waves typically last days to weeks. You label them with plain Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and letters (a, b, c) without any special notation like circles or parentheses. This degree is where active traders spend most of their time. Minor waves are visible on daily charts and form the subdivisions of Intermediate degree moves. When someone posts a chart online with simple wave labels, they are usually showing Minor degree. These waves are the sweet spot for position traders who hold for a few days to a couple of weeks. You can track entries and exits at this degree without getting lost in intraday noise. Minor degree also helps you confirm that the larger Intermediate count is on track by watching if the subdivisions unfold correctly.
Within an Intermediate Wave (3) on the S&P 500, you might count five Minor waves. Minor Wave 1 lasts 5 trading days and moves 80 points. Minor Wave 2 corrects over 3 days, pulling back 40 to 50 points. Minor Wave 3, the longest, runs 10 days and covers 130 points. A swing trader would aim to enter near the end of Minor Wave 2 and ride Minor Wave 3.