Friday July 11, 2025

In Friday's AM briefing, MicroTrader.com emphasized the critical role of strict trading discipline and adherence to a pre-defined battle plan. The speaker cautioned against discretionary trades, urging traders to avoid early entries and instead focus on confirmation-based strategies. Psychological themes such as greed, contentment, and journaling were highlighted as essential for long-term performance. With upcoming macroeconomic data expected to increase volatility, traders were advised to remain aligned with prevailing bullish trends and respect key technical levels.

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📄 TRANSCRIPT

Opening Remarks

In this Friday AM Briefing from MicroTrader.com, the core message is clear: discipline, preparation, and psychological clarity are non-negotiable in successful ES/MES futures trading. The speaker emphasizes repeatedly that discretionary, off-plan trades are not just risky — they’re unacceptable.

Core Philosophy: Discipline and Adherence to the Battle Plan

The dominant principle is sticking to the battle plan. The speaker recounts a specific moment when he canceled a discretionary short order because it wasn't in the pre-published plan. Despite thinking it might work out, he refused to take it, saying firmly, “No sir, you're not going to do that. You did not put it in the battle plan, you're not taking it.”

This rigid stance against impulsive trading supports the broader philosophy: reduce emotional interference by only executing mapped-out trades. He notes that by skipping the discretionary idea, he was able to better watch the price action and focus on the actual trade plan setups.

He also warns against the “first in” mentality — the urge to be the earliest trader into a move, especially a short. “You do not need to be the first one short — there is plenty of meat on the bone on the second and third ladders.” This statement highlights the importance of patience and waiting for confirmations within a structured approach.

Trading Psychology and Contentment

Psychology is another central theme. The speaker reminds traders to avoid greed and instead prioritize being consistently green.

“Green over greed.” That’s the tip of the day. The message is to accept wins — 20 or 30 points, close the DOM, and walk away. Avoid the temptation to keep trading after hitting goal levels. He urges, “Just close your DOM and move on — be content.”

The dangers of counter-trading are also addressed. In strong uptrends, he advises caution, warning that while counter shorts are possible, they’re less frequent and riskier. “Every day is making new highs and higher lows — be careful counter trading under those conditions.”

Essay Format Questions

Which day had the clearest structure and did you take advantage?
What emotions or patterns influenced your trading performance this week?

Key Market Levels and Battle Plan Application

The battle plan includes several key price levels that guide directional bias and trade setups.

6311.50 is marked as the main “bull/bear line in the sand.” A break below this level could signal a move back toward the bottom of the range.

6260 is described as the bottom of the range and an important support. The speaker will be watching closely for reactions there — either looking for a reclaim long if price dips below and recovers, or watching for a straight drop to 6234 if it breaks cleanly.

6234 is another bull/bear zone, acting as a critical lower support/resistance area.

The speaker discusses his anticipation around these levels. For instance, he expected a bearish opportunity under 6311.50, stating, “If we got under the 1150, the bears were going to steal the ball.”

He also mentions taking a short with two contracts — but only in a paper account — because it was not aligned with the mapped trade. This shows how he tests ideas without compromising discipline or risking capital on non-confirmed plans.

Upcoming Volatility and Market Outlook

Looking ahead, the briefing outlines several macro events expected to influence market behavior.

The calendar includes CPI, PPI, retail sales, consumer sentiment, and inflation expectations. “We have a good week of volatility in front of us,” he says.

Despite recent sharp drops — referred to as “extreme vomit” — the speaker maintains a bullish bias. He notes that bears still haven’t shown sustained control: “The bear still can’t create a backside — why? Because the bulls control.”

He warns traders who think the recent high is a long-term top, saying they could be in for a squeeze. “They’re going to get their heads squeezed off and we’re going to be long.” The underlying tone is one of cautious optimism grounded in technical structure and trend recognition.

TRADING FAQ

Q: Why should I avoid discretionary trades in ES/MES futures?
A: Discretionary trades can lead to emotional decision-making and deviation from your planned edge, reducing long-term profitability.

Q: What is the benefit of waiting for confirmation instead of entering early?
A: Waiting for confirmation reduces false starts and aligns trades with proven momentum, improving win rate and risk management.

Q: How can journaling improve my trading?
A: Journaling helps identify patterns in behavior, track emotional triggers, and refine entries based on past structure and performance.