Hindsight may be 20/20. But with some studying, your stockpicking foresight can get pretty good in growth stocks, too.

Foreseeing the move by a stock with terrific fundamentals (the C and A in IBD's CAN SLIM investing model), a No. 1 ranking in its industry, and loads of fund sponsorship, before it happens is crucial. If such a stock breaks out with force, then you're more likely to grab shares at the proper buy point.

Think of the buy point as the ground floor of a potential elevator-like advance to new highs. It's not enough to just buy the right stock. You have to buy the right stock in the right way at the right time.

Those who read Investor's Corner regularly have a strong command of one of the most important patterns in growth investing: the cup with handle. The pattern allows you to be consistent in your buying. You're essentially entering a stock only when it's reached the point at which it can rise fast in a relatively short time frame.