Tuesday September 2, 2025

Q: How does MicroTrader.com help its members develop their trading skills?

MicroTrader.com offers a free foundations course and a 7-day free trial to its battle plan system. Members follow a structured path including bounce level training, end-of-day charts, and personalized feedback on marked levels.

Q: What is the significance of 'rest' in the MicroTrader.com trading strategy?

Rest is viewed as a key part of trading success. Taking scheduled breaks from charts allows mental recovery, resulting in sharper and more disciplined trading.

Q: What is the 'battle plan' and how does it guide traders?

The battle plan outlines predefined trade setups based on strong levels identified overnight. It helps traders follow a structured system with preferred entries and risk-managed strategies.

Q: What are the different levels of risk associated with trade entries in the 'battle plan'?

Knife catch trades are the riskiest, first ladder entries are moderately risky, and second ladder entries are the safest. Traders are advised to favor second ladders and manage risk tightly on earlier entries.

Q: How does MicroTrader.com advise traders to handle highly volatile or 'parabolic' market movements?

During volatile moves, traders are advised not to counter-trade or try to predict tops/bottoms. Instead, they should wait for structure to develop or for second ladder entries after a market reset.

Q: What are 'strong levels' and how are they used in MicroTrader.com's analysis?

Strong levels are high-probability zones expected to produce market reactions. They are shared with members in advance and serve as anchors for battle plan entries.

Q: What information is shared during the daily AM briefing and Zoom room sessions?

The AM briefing covers key economic events, chart updates, and setups for the day. Zoom room sessions begin 15 minutes before the open and involve mapping trade plans and battle plan execution.

In Tuesday's AM Briefing, Micros Trader emphasized a cautious approach amid heightened market volatility, describing current conditions as a "parabolic move to the south." Traders were advised to avoid risky counter-trading tactics such as knife catching and instead focus on more structured second ladder entries. The session stressed the importance of planning rest and adhering to proven battle plans, particularly with September's volatility and several major economic reports scheduled throughout the week. Notable upcoming events include the ISM PMI, JOLTS data, and non-farm payroll, alongside a potentially market-moving announcement from former President Trump.

☀️ AM BRIEFING

Opening Remarks

Good morning, traders. Welcome to today's AM Briefing brought to you by Microtrader.com. As always, we start with a guiding principle:

"But test all things; hold on to what is good." — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

This applies directly to our trading lives: test strategies, test patterns, test routines—and hold on to what works. The theme of today's briefing is all about discipline in volatility, rest and planning, and sticking to what you know works.

Market Volatility and Caution

Right now, the market is undergoing a significant parabolic move to the south—what I call a “vomiting down” pattern. These types of moves are violent, unpredictable, and risky for counter-trading. If you're trying to knife catch this, you're going to get hurt. This is not the time to be a hero.

Historically, September is a volatile month. It’s typically known for unexpected swings and increased market fragility. This year is no exception—traders must stay alert and exercise extreme caution.

The market this morning is under Friday’s low, under a declining VWAP, and continuing to make new lows. We’re seeing a breakdown that began in the London session with heavy selling pressure.

Essay Format Questions

What emotion affected your trade today?
How will you respond differently next time?

Planning and the Importance of Rest

One of the most overlooked parts of becoming a successful trader is learning how to rest. Over the weekend, I did not open a chart once. I rested. Why? Because when you come back, you're sharper, clearer, and mentally stronger.

Planning your rest allows you to divide your time: "This is the time I’m working hard, and this is the time I’m resting my brain." The market is always open in some form. If you don’t intentionally step back, it will burn you out.

Disciplined Trading and Battle Plan Adherence

We continue to emphasize: follow your battle plan. Today, the battle plan is open to everyone. Go to Microtrader.com and click “Battle Plan.”

We talk about three types of trades: the knife catch, the first ladder, and the second ladder. The knife catch is the riskiest. The first ladder is still risky. The safest trade is the second ladder—once we’ve confirmed a strong level and price has started to climb back. That’s where we should be entering.

Today’s key levels include 6403. If price moves below that, watch for 6373, 6360, and 6357. These are strong areas where we might consider longs—but only under strict rules and only if the trade structure supports it.

The trend line has broken. We saw multiple attempts to stay above, but the buyers failed. No lift. That’s an important signal—buyers are not stepping in.

Glossary of Key Terms

Knife Catch: Attempting to buy during a sharp downtrend before confirmation of support.
First Ladder: An early entry off a strong level, riskier due to lack of confirmation.
Second Ladder: A safer trade after market structure confirms a bounce from support.
VWAP: Volume Weighted Average Price, used to determine trend context.

Key Economic Announcements This Week

Tuesday (Today): ISM manufacturing PMI and manufacturing prices (30 minutes after market open).
Wednesday: JOLTS report—expect volatility.
Thursday: Day before non-farm payrolls.
Friday: Non-farm payroll report.

Trump has a 2:00 PM Eastern announcement today. Rumors about his health are circulating. Be cautious if trading the afternoon session.

Daily Routine and Community Benefits

AM Briefing daily at market prep time.
Zoom Room opens 15 minutes before RTH open.
Battle plan, trade mapping, and community support.
Members learn bounce levels, earn badges, and submit end-of-day charts for feedback.

Example: A speculator special at 29 hit for 17 points. If you use these trades, you must have ATM strategies: break-even stops, trailing stops, defined exits. Manage the risk—don’t just hope.

Closing Thoughts

This week is not one to trade recklessly. Respect the volatility. Know your plan. Wait for second ladders. And above all—don’t knife catch.

The battle plan is open today—check it out at Microtrader.com.

❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions – MicroTrader.com Trading Approach

What is the core philosophy behind MicroTrader.com's trading approach?
MicroTrader.com emphasises a disciplined and structured approach to trading, heavily influenced by the principle "test all things, hold on to what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This translates into meticulously planning trades, utilising "strong levels" and a "battle plan" for entries and exits, and prioritising risk management. The platform also stresses the importance of mental rest and avoiding emotional trading, especially during volatile market conditions.

How does MicroTrader.com help its members develop their trading skills?
MicroTrader.com offers a free "foundations course" and a 7-day free trial to its "battle plan" system. For members, there's a structured learning path to "earn your badges" by mastering key concepts like the "first three bounce levels" and creating end-of-day charts. Crucially, members receive evaluations and feedback on their marked levels, ensuring they are applying the methodology correctly – a feature highlighted as uncommon in other training programmes.

What is the significance of "rest" in the MicroTrader.com trading strategy?
Rest is considered a vital component of successful trading at MicroTrader.com. The speaker explicitly mentions taking a full break from charts over the weekend and encourages traders to plan their rest periods. The rationale is that stepping away from the market allows the mind to recuperate, leading to stronger and more effective trading decisions when returning to the charts. This also suggests an understanding of the psychological demands of active trading.

What is the "battle plan" and how does it guide traders?
The "battle plan" is a core tool at MicroTrader.com, providing pre-defined trade ideas and strategies based on "strong levels" identified overnight. It maps out preferred trade setups (green mapping), potential alternative ideas, and different risk levels for entries (knife catch, first ladder, second ladder). The battle plan aims to give traders a clear roadmap for engaging with the market and provides a framework for making informed decisions.

What are the different levels of risk associated with trade entries in the "battle plan"?
The "battle plan" categorises trade entries by their associated risk:

Knife catch: This is identified as the riskiest trade, attempting to catch a falling (or rising) market at its extreme point.
First ladder: The next riskiest entry, typically involving trading a bounce or pullback after the initial, most aggressive move.
Second ladder: This is considered the safest trade, waiting for further confirmation after a first ladder entry or a more significant market retracement. The advice given is that "second ladder is your friend".

How does MicroTrader.com advise traders to handle highly volatile or "parabolic" market movements?
During highly volatile or "parabolic" market movements, MicroTrader.com strongly advises against counter-trading or trying to "be a hero" by picking the bottom or top. The repeated advice is "stay out of the way" and "let it sell" (or buy). The emphasis is on patience and waiting for either a clear "ladder back" or for the market to settle and develop into clearer "core three-minute core strategy levels." In extreme cases, traders are even advised to close their platforms.

What are "strong levels" and how are they used in MicroTrader.com's analysis?
"Strong levels" are pre-identified price points that are expected to elicit a significant market reaction, such as a bounce. These levels are published in advance (e.g., last night's strong levels for today's trading). They serve as key reference points for battle plan trades, indicating where potential long or short positions might be considered. The successful "speculator special" bounce from a 29 strong level highlights their importance.

What information is shared during the daily AM briefing and Zoom room sessions?
The daily AM briefing, starting around 30 minutes after market open, focuses on updating charts, reviewing key economic announcements (like ISM manufacturing PMI or non-farm payroll), and discussing potential market impacts of current events (e.g., Trump's announcement). The subsequent Zoom room, opening 15 minutes before the market, involves daily reminders, mapping out trades based on current market conditions, and identifying "battle plan trades." These sessions aim to prepare traders for the day and adjust strategies based on evolving market dynamics.