Senkou Span A

The senkou span A is calculated in the following manner:

SENKOU SPAN A ("1st leading line")

(TENKAN SEN + KIJUN SEN)/2 time-shifted forwards (into the future) 26 periods

The senkou span A is best-known for its part, along with the senkou span B line, in forming the kumo, or "Ichimoku cloud" that is the foundation of the Ichimoku Kinko Hyo charting system. The senkou span A is another one of the time-shifted lines that are unique to Ichimoku. In this case, it is shifted forwards by 26 periods. Since it represents the average of the tenkan sen and kijun sen, the senkou span A is itself a measure of equilibrium. Goichi Hosoda knew well that price tends to respect prior support and resistance levels, so by time-shifting this line forward by 26 periods he allowed the Ichimoku practitioner to quickly see "at a glance" where support and resistance from 26 periods ago (1 month ago on a Daily chart) reside compared with current price action.

While it is possible to trade off of the senkou span A and B lines on their own, their real power comes in their combined dynamics in the kumo.