Monday September 29, 2025

Q: Why is the “Second Ladder” entry often recommended?

It provides better confirmation that the setup is valid and reduces the risk of jumping into a false move.

Q: What is a “Runner” in trading?

A Runner is a portion of a trade left open after profit-taking, allowing the trader to capture larger moves without additional risk.

Q: How do Battle Plan, Ladders, and Runners work together?

They form a complete trading process: plan the trade, enter with discipline, and manage with strategy. Together, they help traders maintain control throughout the trade lifecycle.

Q: What is the most important skill a trader must develop?

Patience is the most important skill. It enables traders to wait for high-probability setups and avoid impulsive mistakes.

The ES Emini market displayed aggressive bullish behavior in Monday’s session, with prices advancing sharply from the Sunday open and targeting the all-time high as a key price magnet. Micros Trader advised against short positions and emphasized the importance of retaining a “runner” contract to capitalize on potential large-scale moves. Psychological discipline and patience were framed as more critical to long-term success than technical expertise, with emotional lapses identified as the primary cause of trading failure. The session also outlined upcoming economic data that may contribute to heightened market volatility throughout the week.

☀️ AM BRIEFING

Opening Remarks

Micros Trader begins the AM Briefing by highlighting the dominant bullish momentum in the ES Emini futures market for Monday, September 29th. The sentiment is decisively optimistic, described with the phrase “up, up, and away.” Traders are strongly cautioned against taking short positions, with a direct statement: “don’t short this thing.”

Current Market Overview

The ES market is trending aggressively upward. The Sunday open came in at 97, and since then, price has reclaimed a previously defined strong level. The move from Sunday’s open has been essentially vertical. Micros Trader notes that while they personally hoped for a gap down, the market had other plans, pushing higher right from the open.

The all-time high is identified as a major magnet, described as the “biggest magnet of all magnets,” and that area remains the market’s natural target. However, trading near all-time highs is acknowledged to be tricky.

A sharp visual slope in VWAPs confirms bullish control. The steep slant in the VWAP lines is evidence of continued bullish strength and serves as confirmation of upward price momentum.

The Battle Plan: Predefined Trade Scenarios

Battle Plan #2: Long Add-On

This setup was available for traders who were already long from Saturday’s “trap the trader” strategy. Once the market reclaimed a strong level during Sunday’s open, that became the trigger for an add-on long. Traders not already in a position were encouraged to follow the “core strategy” playbook and wait for confirmation upon reclaiming that level.

Battle Plan #1: Profit-Taking Zone / Possible Short

Though labeled as a “possible short idea,” Micros Trader emphasizes that this area should mainly serve as a take-profit zone for longs. For those still inclined to short, a “laddered” entry approach is presented with multiple tiers:

The Tip/Apex – The most aggressive and riskiest short entry.
First Ladder – Slightly lower; still risky.
Second Ladder – Lowest and considered safest; traders only permitted to consider a short here under the group’s risk protocols.

The ideal scenario for this counter-trend short would involve price pushing up underneath a strong level, which would then fail—providing a reasonable entry point.

Essay Format Questions

What emotion caused you to exit your runner too early in the past?
What can you do differently next time to stay in the move?

Trading Psychology and Discipline

The “Runner” Strategy

A “tip of the day” is offered: always keep one contract as a runner. “You never know which trade goes 100 plus points,” says Micros Trader. The idea is to benefit from major moves without needing to re-enter the market, which is often more difficult.

Depending on account type and risk profile, the runner can be managed with a stop behind a strong level, swing low, or even at the original entry. Traders with trailing drawdown accounts may need a tighter stop to avoid blowing out their limits.

Patience and Emotional Mastery

Micros Trader quotes a devotional that says: “Better a patient man than a warrior, one who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” Patience is presented as a more potent weapon than any technical edge.

At the time of the AM Briefing, there were no high-probability setups, and traders are encouraged to accept such periods without forcing trades. Emotional discipline, not technical skill, is what separates successful traders from those who blow up accounts. The consistent message is: the master trader is the one who has mastered themselves.

"Better a patient man than a warrior, one who controls his temper than one who takes a city."

Economic Drivers and Announcements

Possible U.S. government shutdown
Pending home sales data
JOLTS jobs data
ADP employment report
Non-farm payroll report

High volatility is anticipated, and traders are reminded to be prepared.

On the community side:

The current day’s Battle Plan is unlocked and available for all on MicrosTrader.com.
A live trading stream will take place the following day, starting 15 minutes before the open, where the core strategy and Battle Plan trades will be executed in real-time.

❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Trading with a Plan: FAQs

What is the purpose of having a Battle Plan in trading?

A Battle Plan is a structured list of potential trade scenarios identified before the market opens. It helps traders act with intention rather than react emotionally to price movements. It encourages discipline by forcing the trader to wait for specific setups instead of chasing random trades.

How does a Battle Plan improve emotional discipline?

By outlining trades in advance, the Battle Plan reduces emotional decision-making during volatile moments. It instills patience, composure, and the habit of following through on a plan—skills that are crucial for surviving both winning and losing streaks.

What are “Ladders” in a trade entry strategy?

Ladders are staggered levels for entering a trade, each with varying risk and confirmation. The “Tip” is the most aggressive entry, followed by the First Ladder, and then the Second Ladder—considered the safest entry as it waits for stronger confirmation. New traders are encouraged to favor the Second Ladder to reduce risk.

Why is the “Second Ladder” entry often recommended?

The Second Ladder helps traders avoid prematurely entering counter-trend trades. It ensures there's enough confirmation that the market may be reversing or continuing as planned. This technique teaches discipline by rewarding patience.

What is a “Runner” in trading?

A Runner is a portion of your position—usually one contract—that you leave open after taking partial profits. It allows you to participate in potentially large moves (e.g., 100+ points) without re-entering. This tool is key for maximizing trades while reducing emotional interference.

Why do traders use Runners?

Runners allow traders to stay in strong trades longer and capture bigger moves. Since part of the profit has already been locked in, the remaining contract can be managed with less pressure, increasing the chance of catching large, unexpected gains.

How do Battle Plan, Ladders, and Runners work together?

They form a structured framework for trading. The Battle Plan guides pre-trade thinking, Ladders manage disciplined entries, and the Runner strategy ensures proper trade management. Together, they help traders maintain control before, during, and after a trade.

What is the most important skill a trader must develop?

Patience. Trading success often depends more on emotional control than technical analysis. A trader who can wait for high-quality setups and avoid impulsive trades is far more likely to sustain long-term success.