Trading Guides

Essential guides to help you prepare for the market, develop a study plan, and maintain a trading journal.

Preparing for the Market

Follow these 8 essential steps each morning to prepare for your trading day.

01

Chart Indices & Futures

This will help you find the direction of where the market is going.

02

Chart Sectors

This will help you see which sector this market is moving in and out of.

03

Chart tickers within sectors

Find great plays by seeing which tickers are moving within strong sectors.

04

Look for setups with confluences

The more confluences (strat, EMAs, trendlines), the more likely the trade works.

05

Check option contracts

Ensure you have favorable Greeks, IV, volume, and open interest.

06

Market look back

Analyze what moved the market on the daily/weekly to gauge direction.

07

Look for catalysts

Check for Earnings, CPI, Fed Rates, or company events.

08

Review rules & mentally prepare

Rewrite your rules and use morning meditation to stay focused.

Daily Trading Process (EST)

A disciplined schedule keeps you focused and prevents impulsive decisions.

8:30 AM

Market Analysis & Prep

Mark up ES/SPX overnight and pre-market levels. Prep your broker platform.

8:45 – 9:30 AM

Opening Trade Plan

Mark up your opening trade plan. Only take a pre-market or open trade if the setup is very clear.

9:40 AM

Mark the 10-Min OR

Mark the high and low of the first 10-minute candle. Rule: Do NOT trade the first 30 minutes if the golden gate is not open.

9:40 AM – 12:30 PM

Morning Session

Trade clear playbook setups only. Be patient for every single one.

12:30 – 3:00 PM

Midday Break

Step away from the charts. Protect your mental capital.

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Afternoon Session

Trade clear playbook setups only. Remain patient.

4:00 – 5:00 PM

Journal Trades

Document every trade taken. Review execution against your ideal entries and exits.

8:00 – 9:00 PM

Prep Charts for Next Day

Mark up key S/R levels, ATR levels, and potential setups for the next session.

Pre-Trade Checklist

Answer every question before you enter a trade. No exceptions.

01

What is the setup / thesis?

02

What is my trigger?

03

What is my entry?

04

What are my exits?

05

What is my technical stop?

06

What is my sizing based on risk, entry, and stop?

⚠

Do NOT trade if price is stuck between Call and Put Trigger and TICK/ADD is in the –500 to +500 range.

Playbook Setups

Six high-probability setups. Wait for the setup to come to you — never force a trade.

Reversal

2-2 Reversal of a Broadening Formation

Condition High and low of the previous 2 candles form a broadening pattern.
Entry Break of the previous candle.
Risk Break below the low of the previous candle.
Target Next swing high.
Breakout

10-Minute Open Range Breakout

Condition Mark the high and low of the first 10-minute candle (9:30–9:40 AM EST).
Entry Break and retest of the OR high or low.
Risk Midpoint of the OR.
Target Next S/R level, ATR level, change in momentum, or larger EMA.
Transition

Vomy / iVomy

Condition Price crosses the ribbon and closes on the other side.
Entry Price retests the ribbon — anticipate and enter on the retest.
Risk Other side of the ribbon.
Target Next S/R level, ATR level, VWAP, or larger EMA.
Trending

Flag Into Ribbon

Condition Trending market. Price pulls back into the ribbon, which acts as support.
Entry 13 or 21 EMA — anticipate the pullback to the EMA.
Risk Other side of the ribbon.
Target Next S/R level, ATR level, VWAP, or larger EMA.
Reversal

Divergence From Extreme

Condition Range environment. Price has made a swing up or down. Phase Oscillator shows divergence from the extreme — anticipate the divergence, confirm swing high or low.
Entry Divergence confirmation on swing candle close.
Risk Above the swing high (short) or below the swing low (long).
Target Mean reversion to 21 EMA. Pullback or reversal to ribbon with possible S/R / ATR level / change in momentum / larger EMA.
Reversal

1-Minute End of Day Divergence

Condition Price has made a swing. Phase Oscillator is near the middle — divergence can be anticipated if a new high or low is made.
Entry Divergence confirmation on swing candle close. Look for supporting volume.
Risk Above the swing high (short) or below the swing low (long).
Target Mean reversion to 21 EMA. Pullback or reversal to ribbon with possible S/R / ATR level / change in momentum / larger EMA.
Reversal

Tweezer Bottom (aka Wicky Wicky)

Condition Two parallel candles with matching bottom wicks forming a tweezer pattern.
Entry Reclaim 50% of the down candle.
Risk Below the tweezer wicks. Move stop to below candle body lows once working, then below structure when in profit.
Target Mean reversion to 21 EMA. Pullback or reversal to ribbon with possible S/R / ATR level / change in momentum / larger EMA.

Journaling

Daily Reflection

Explain what you did well and what you did poorly.

Track Your Trades

Document every trade you take. What was your reasoning?

Compare to Ideal

Compare your actual entry and exit to the IDEAL trade.