Chris,
Yes, it makes perfect sense. You are looking for a swing trading method. I am actually starting to pick up swing trading on my own. Try picking up Alan Farley's,
Master Swing Trader. I have taken some of his home study courses in the past and found it to be of great help. I learned a great deal of volume and price analysis from him.
The problem with simulation or paper trading is that it takes the pyschological and emotional out of trading. In my opinion, our competition is not of other traders. The true competition is yourself. I am the biggest enemy to myself. When you have money on the line, your brain will play many different tricks. It is the abilitiy to control this that will help you succeed as a trader. Paper trading is good to test out a strategy. But you should get in the habit of trading live with real money. If you do not feel like you are ready, trade small. This way you can practice and not lose money that can hurt you financially.