The purpose of the ZoneTraderPro VIX BloodHound template is to determine the state of the VIX. It is designed to determine trend and give trade entries using divergences on the SPY. The SPY is used as a proxy for the ES because more divergences are created on SPY, and it is common to have divergences on both. Read more about that HERE.
The real time VIX template is looking at both price charts and VIX charts to generate a BloodHound signal. In this way, we can easily determine the state of the VIX and if it favors our trading signals on the ES/SPY divergence.
The question that is asked a lot is, are we trading SPY or the ES? We are using the SPY divergence signals as a proxy for trading the ES. We can also use divergence signals on the ES contract and a combination of both.
The newest real time VIX template is a more complex formula and uses the BloodHound histogram to determine the state of the VIX and the ES. We can see transitions from long/short much easier
The templates also track the state of the VIX, to ensure that we are trading with the order flows that occur from option market maker hedging.
Additionally ZoneTraderPro uses a chart template to track the $TICK. We want to know if the $TICK is bullish and is “living” above 0, or bearish and “living” below 0.
Click HERE for that strategy page.
VIX, TICK and ES Template Examples
ES Template
In the chart above the BloodHound Indicator is on the bottom indicator panel. It is looking at 9 different charts to determine the trend based on the VIX symbols. These are trend signals, not designed to call a top or a bottom.
TICK Template
The $TICK uses several proprietary ZoneTraderPro indicators to track the real time $TICK. In the top panel we see where the $TICK is "living". The second panel is ZoneTraderPros' cumulative delta, which is filtering only for large lot trades. The third panel is the ES chart with the ZoneTraderPro Delta Strength indicator showing large lot trades.
VIX Template
The $VIX chart shows 4 different VIX related symbols to clearly show when options hedging is in a bearish or bullish trend.
VIX TICK Template
The VIX TICK chart shows when the trend of the VIX and the TICK are trading in sync. These trades can have large outsized moves, with clear entry and exit signals. It is here where we see transitions between bearish and bullish moves the best.
Steps to Setup the BloodHound Template
Step 1 - Installation of the License Checker
If you are an existing ZoneTraderPro customer and are upgrading to the BloodHound version, I will send you the files in Skype. This file is a license checker which is installed using the NinjaTrader Control Panel. If you are a new customer I will install this for you during setup.
Step 2 - Download the VIX Files
The files are the SharkIndicators BloodHound template files.
The picture on the below shows that path.
NOTE: The most current Live Vix file was updated 3/12/2025. It is now Version 17. There are now 2 files to simplify the choices in each template.
ZTP BloodHound Version 17TickVix Right Click and Save AS
ZTP BloodHound Version 17Trend Right Click and Save AS
Using the New ZoneTraderPro BloodHound Template Version 17
In this video we look at what the options are to setup the new files and chart templates to read the $VIX and $TICK. This video is for the version 17, updated 3/12/25.
Step 3 - Download Templates
Before you do anything else, go to the NinjaTrader8 chart templates folder and DELETE any old SPY template. There is a specific SPY divergence and KP2 Ratio indicator that old templates did not use.
Download the Template Files
Right Click and Save As the SPY template
Right Click and Save As the $ADD template
Right Click and Save As the ES 3.5 point chart template
Right Click and Save As the ES 7.5 point chart template
Download and replace all of the old VIX chart templates. Delete any old VIX templates. These were updated 3/14/24. Right click and SAVE AS
Step 4 - Setup Kinetick
Setting up Kinetick is normally done at the end of training. This is because it is not necessary until you start working with the VIX, so it is an unnecessary expense when starting to learn ZoneTraderPro.
The data we need for this template to work is not provided by NinjaTrader Continuum. You are going to need an additional data feed. I recommend and use Kinetick.
Click the Kinetick image and you will be taken to Kinetick. When you get to the site and sign up, you are going to need to need the following options.
- Basic Service $75
- CBOE Indexes $7.50
- NYSE Non-Pro Exchange Fee $7
- GLOBEX COMBO Level I Non-Pro for $5
You sign up for GLOBEX after you have a Kinetick account. This is necessary because the 1st connection you make when NinjaTrader starts, is what fills the charts. This is why you need the live GLOBEX data from Kinetick.
Step 5 - Very Important
You must connect to Kinetick first when you start NinjaTrader. After starting NinjaTrader, you need to make sure you start Kinetick when NinjaTrader starts. Go to CONNECTIONS and under the KINETICK configuration, tell it to connect on startup.
Then you need to tell NinjaTrader to add the symbol ES ##-##. You only do this one time. Start a reguler ES chart and change the symbol from ES 09-23 (or current) to ES ##-##
Always connect to Kinetick 1st when starting NinjaTrader
Step 6 - Adding The Necessary Symbols - VERY IMPORTANT
Go to the TOOLS Menu and choose INSTRUMENTS and click ADD
You are going to add 4 symbols
- VIX9D
- VVIX
- UVXY
- COR90D
VIX9D
Name the master instrument VIX9D
The instrument type is INDEX
You need to put the name of the exchange. Put CBOE.
You need to tell Kinetick where to find it. VIX9D.XO
VVIX
Name the master instrument VVIX
The instrument type is INDEX
You need to put the name of the exchange. Put CBOE.
You need to tell Kinetick where to find it. VVIX.XO
UVXY
Name the master instrument UVXY
The instrument type is STOCK
You need to put the name of the exchange. DEFAULT
You need to tell it the trading hours. US EQUITIES ETH
You need to tell Kinetick where to find it. UVXY
COR90D
Name the master instrument COR90D
The instrument type is INDEX
You need to put the name of the exchange. PUT CBOE
You need to tell it the trading hours. US EQUITIES ETH
You need to tell Kinetick where to find it. COR90D.XO
Add these symbols to the Instrument List
Go to TOOLS and choose INSTRUMENT LISTS
- VIX9D is placed in INDEXES
- VVIX is placed in INDEXES
- COR90D is placed in INDEXES
- UVXY is placed in SP500
Click INDEXES and then ADD. You will receive a popup and then start typing VIX9D. When the symbol comes up, click it and add it to the list. Do the same thing for VVIX.
Click SP500 and then ADD. You will receive a popup and then start typing UVXY. When the symbol comes up, click it and add it to the list.
The biggest source of user errors comes from adding an index as a stock. You will get a blank chart if this happens. To verify that you correctly added the symbol as an index, click on TOOLS-INSTRUMENTS and type in VIX1D and see if says stock or index in te description. Delete it if it says stock. Repeat this for the VIX9D and VVIX.
NinjaTrader Instrument Manager for Vix Setup
In this video we look at adding the VIX9D symbol to NinjaTrader and setup of the BloodHound Charts
