Market Levels for ES & MES Traders

Tuesday November 4, 2025

In a structured AM Briefing, Micros Trader outlined a disciplined methodology emphasizing preparation, psychological awareness, and strategic execution in futures trading. Central to this approach is the “Map It, Journal It, Take It with Confidence” process, designed to eliminate impulsive decisions and enforce high-probability setups. Key technical tools include proprietary “strong levels,” a critical “bull/bear line,” and confirmation patterns like the “ladder back.” Beyond technicals, the briefing underscored that successful trading hinges on spiritual and emotional discipline, rooted in daily practices of journaling, meditation, and prayer.

☀️ AM BRIEFING

Opening Remarks

Micros Trader opened the AM Briefing by emphasizing a comprehensive trading methodology built around preparation, discipline, and self-awareness. At the heart of the framework is the core mantra: “Map it, journal it, take it with confidence.” This method empowers traders to plan in advance, execute with clarity, and remain emotionally detached from impulsive decisions.

Core Trading Philosophy and Process

The strategy is designed to remove emotion from trading by enforcing a strict process. Preparation happens the night before with a Battle Plan that includes five mapped trade ideas—both long and short—at key technical levels. Once a setup is mapped and journaled, the trader waits for the specific confirmation, often in the form of a “ladder back” sequence. If the required conditions do not emerge, the trader’s disciplined response is clear: “No trade. No big deal.”

The “Map It” Principle

Micros Trader outlined the “Map It” principle in three key steps:

Map It – Identify trade scenarios at technical levels based on structure. The Battle Plan typically features five trades with predefined entry criteria.
Journal It – Write the trade thesis ahead of execution, ensuring emotional buy-in and clarity of intent.
Take It with Confidence – Once the setup confirms exactly as planned, the trade must be executed without hesitation, including proper risk parameters.

This framework ensures that entries are methodical and not based on reactive emotions or fear of missing out.

The Role of Journaling and Self-Review

Micros Trader reiterated the importance of journaling as a daily practice of self-review. The journaling software Trader Meditations is used to log lessons, thoughts, and setups. One key reflection prompt shared was:

Essay Format Questions

Which setups should I have skipped? But you didn’t. And why didn’t you?

The most common reason for jumping into poor setups was a desire to “catch the move early.” Reviewing both good and bad trades builds emotional intelligence and long-term consistency.

The Battle Plan Framework

The Battle Plan is a pre-session strategic document published at MicrosTrader.com and discussed live on YouTube. It’s the practical tool behind the “Map It” step. Key attributes include:

Five clearly mapped trades with rationale and technical structure.
Specific levels like the bull/bear line, gap fills, and proprietary “strong levels.”
Publicly shared before the session to reinforce accountability and transparency.

Case Study: Executing the Battle Plan

Trade #1 (Long Opening) – Executed as planned; the 10-point target was touched, though not fully filled, leading to partial profit.
Trade #2 (Short Below Bull/Bear Line) – Nearly triggered; the idea was included as a hedge due to concern about bull strength fading.
Mapped Longs (Lower Support Areas) – Price reached the level, but no ladder back occurred. Discipline prevailed: No trade was taken.
Trade #5 (Short with Add-On Below Strong Level) – Trade worked beautifully, but it was missed due to absence from the screen.

Market Analysis and Technical Concepts

Micros Trader reminded the audience: “We don’t predict... We trade the structure on the left.” The focus is on reacting to visible price action, not forecasting outcomes. Several proprietary and widely observed tools were discussed:

Strong Levels – Weekly horizontal S/R zones used as anchors for trade ideas.
Bull/Bear Line – A dividing price that dictates market bias. When under this line: “We are not in Oz anymore.”
Half Back – A key retracement level for possible liquidity grabs and ladder backs.
Inter-session Liquidity Patterns – Recognizing how London takes out Asia’s extremes before running to the other side’s liquidity.
Laddering – A specific sequence used as confirmation. If absent, the setup is invalid.
Fair Value Gaps – Momentum gaps through strong levels signal conviction. Wait for a re-touch, or step aside.
Seller Exhaustion – Observed during hard down days. A cluster of 5–7 ladder downs and multiple broken levels (like at 6790) signal potential reversals.

Trader Psychology and Self-Discovery

Micros Trader emphasized that the process of becoming a skilled trader is deeply tied to personal growth. Trading is described as a “painful journey of self discovery,” rooted in spiritual and emotional conditioning.

The Three Pillars of Trader Discipline (Adapted from 12-Step Principles)

Self-Examination – Done nightly through journaling.
Meditation – A practice to silence daily noise and enhance focus.
Prayer – A way to ask for guidance and maintain humility.

These practices help the trader achieve a “fit spiritual condition,” essential to navigating volatility without succumbing to revenge trading or over-leveraging. Emotional sobriety is seen as the final key to unlocking a trader’s full potential.

❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

TRADER Q&A: FOUNDATION, STRUCTURE & DISCIPLINE

What is the essential preparation process before entering a trade?
You must first map the trade idea, typically mapping out five possibilities. The absolute best way to execute is to journal the trade before you take it. Once mapped and journaled, you take the trade with confidence, using an appropriate stop loss that gives the trade room to work.

What action should a trader take if a specific mapped trade idea does not develop?
If a mapped trade idea does not develop, the required action is "No trade." This is considered a very simple action, and the trader should proceed to their next mapped idea.

In terms of market structure, what critical level signals the transfer of market control between bulls and bears?
The bull bear line signals control. When the market drops under the bull bear line, the bulls have given up their control, and the market is considered no longer "in Oz." This signifies that the rules for trading may need to change.

Besides technical analysis, what daily disciplines are recommended for fostering self-discovery and improving trading habits?
Daily discipline should include self-examination, meditation, and prayer. Self-examination acts as the journal, helping the trader review their day and gain a personal history essential for their journey into self-discovery, ultimately preventing destructive behaviors like revenge trading or overleveraging.