Live Futures Chart Analysis: Weekly Prep, Trade Setups & Runner Management
Opening Remarks
Good afternoon, guys! Thought we’d update our chart, but first, a quick note: if you’re a member and were integrated with us on Friday, you do not need to rewatch that day. However, if you're considering joining the group, that session is worth checking out. Also, if you wouldn’t mind—like Justin and Scott—please leave a comment here about that day. I’d appreciate it.
Weekly Chart Overview
Let’s get to the chart. We’ve got 15 minutes to the open, so let’s get filming. On the weekly chart, we mark the high and low based on the Sunday open and the overnight session. The market’s looking bearish—heavy—so we’ll mark those accordingly.
Turning on session levels, we identify the weekly high and Sunday low. I also cleaned up some old boxes and magnets from previous sessions—those “black box” zones where we intentionally avoided trading during YouTube Live or Zoom. Those are no longer relevant and have been removed.
Live Trade Context & Chart Clean-up
We had several folders on the chart related to previous trade ideas: a short setup near a battle plan zone, and a long that required recapturing a level—both cleaned up. Justin and I were in a long on Friday that was just an add-on, not a fresh entry. If that level had failed, we had a plan to look lower.
During the Friday session, I called a short off a strong level and exited at 62 for a 20-point win. Could’ve stayed in for more—price did go to the magnet—but I was preparing for a long, so I needed to focus.
Gap Discussion and Session Levels
Switching to a 30-minute chart, we still have a significant daily gap above. We didn’t fill it, but it’s not mandatory. There’s also a new weekly opening gap and the Sunday open to consider. The weekly low is clearly defined from the candle’s Sunday session.
Looking at the RTH gap from Friday, we note that it’s drawn from the high of the day, not the close. Key levels being carried forward include the RTH high, weekly high, and the Sunday low. Weekly profile shows we’re sitting right at the POC—not surprising.
Glossary of Key Terms
- POC: Point of Control — the price level where the highest volume was traded.
- RTH: Regular Trading Hours — typically 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
- Value Area: Price range in which 70% of volume occurred, bounded by value area high and low.
Profile Levels and Trade Management
If you're not in our group, two levels you should absolutely have on your chart are last week’s value area high (~3350) and value area low. I lock these on the chart with opacity set to zero—no need to see the lines, just know they’re there.
Also marked are the beginning of a set of single prints. Some other levels like Asia low were left with zero opacity—they’re not trade zones for me but are good reference points. Our goal is to survive bounces, not overreact to every touch.
Daily and Weekly Chart Levels
On the daily, I’ve marked 50% of a key wick at 5786.75 and a backside level at 5724.75. On the weekly, I noted a fair value gap at 6076.50 and a lower level at 4911.95. These are all valid and useful context levels.
Range Theory and Friday Levels
Looking at a 4-hour chart, we tapped into an old high-timeframe range and rejected cleanly. Ranges are a huge part of our system and continue to prove their value. We also keep Friday’s highs, lows, and halfback on the chart to gauge trader sentiment alignment.
Most days are chop and trap—those are our specialty. But note: we haven’t had a bell-to-bell short day in quite a while, which could be looming.
Current Position and Live Trade
We’re currently long. The new week opening gap is at 98.75, and price opened right into last week’s value area low. That provided support initially. I had two runners from Friday—one captured for 60 points. Even if the second runner went -30, I’d still net +30 across both.
I’m holding from 55.75, watching to break the bull/bear line and ideally 2025’s yearly open, which I consider a critical macro level. There are no long entries for me at these highs, and no valid short yet unless we rise into 6076+ or reject 6195.
Overnight Add-Ons and Trap Scenarios
I’m not planning to add overnight unless we drop into the meat of the previous range, bounce back, and reclaim levels like the Sunday opening or London low. Those would be classic “trap the trader” setups that we favor.
I’d rather the market just hold the value area low. The lower gap still acts as a magnet, though, and I’m aware of that risk.
Essay Format Questions
- What is your emotional attachment to your runner management strategy?
- Where could you place stops with both safety and opportunity in mind?
"Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most."
Personal Update
If you’re a fan of The Chosen, Season 5 Episode 1 drops on YouTube tonight. My wife actually volunteered during filming for the feeding of the 5,000 scene! Parts were filmed at Capernaum Studios, just south of us in Texas. We visited and toured the set—very cool experience. One of the water-walking scenes was shot in Shreveport. Fun trivia: one of the producers lives in Trophy Club.
Closing Thoughts
We stayed inside the new week opening gap at the bottom of the hour. That will wrap up tonight’s battle plan. Watch for reaction at the 50% line, and I’ll see you all in the morning. Stay disciplined and protect your runners.
Q: What is the new week opening gap, and why does it matter?
A: The new week opening gap is the price difference between Friday's close and Sunday night's open. It often acts as a magnet or pivot zone for early-week price action.
Q: How do you manage runners in a multi-day trade?
A: One runner was taken off for 60 points; the second is still active. Even if that second leg pulls back, a net profit can be preserved by adjusting stops smartly.
Q: What makes a good add-on trade during the overnight session?
A: A quality overnight add often comes when price returns to a prior support zone like London low, reacts strongly, and reclaims the opening level, forming a trap-the-trader scenario.
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