Tuesday Dec 9: Live Room Insights and Key Zones for ES & MES Futures
Best ES Emini Setups for Day Traders
Tuesday December 9, 2025
In Tuesday’s AM Briefing, Micros Trader emphasized disciplined instrument selection and recapped a single high-quality short trade setup from Battle Plan 3 that delivered clean results. Despite overall bullish control, only one trade plan triggered due to lack of level development and the emergence of unstable price action. A 17-point candle and Nvidia-related volatility highlighted caution ahead of FOMC and contract rollover, leading the trader to advise stepping back from forced trades. With the bull/bear line continuing to hold as a pivotal structure, the briefing pointed traders toward a deeper pullback and potential setups outlined in the updated battle plan.📖 AM Briefing Overview & Key Points - Tuesday December 9th
Today's session covers Battle Plan Builder section seven (instrument selection), yesterday's successful Battle Plan 3 short trade at the bull-bear line, and important warnings about increasingly squirrely price action as we approach FOMC and contract rollover. With double JOLT reports hitting 30 minutes after the open and FOMC tomorrow, expect volatility and resist the urge to force trades.
- Battle Plan Builder Section 7 - Instrument Restriction: Clearly define which specific instruments you're allowed to trade and prohibit trading any others. In TradeOvate, you can restrict symbols in your risk settings. George keeps his restricted to MES only to protect himself from the temptation to trade "that wild redhead stepchild in YM." This self-imposed discipline prevents emotional trading decisions.
- Yesterday's Perfect Setup - Battle Plan 3 Short: Although bulls controlled the session, the only legitimate trading opportunity was Battle Plan 3 short at the bull-bear line (6068.25). Price attacked this level four times before finally breaking with hard closes underneath. Traders who took this short captured near-instant 10 pointers and many walked away. This is textbook execution - waiting for YOUR setup even when the trend favors the other side.
- Three Contract System with Financed Runner: For traders using the three-contract approach with a runner positioned a point or so behind entry at minus five, you survived the double tap and stayed in for the bigger move. Even though the Nvidia chip news created the "watch out below" strong range violation, having your runner at minus five would have netted you 15 points total (20 from the two profit targets minus 5 from the runner) with a shot at the 50-point move to 6810.
- Important Entry Technique - Dual Timeframe Confirmation: On really important levels like yesterday's bull-bear line, you often get an entry signal on BOTH the one-minute chart AND the three-minute chart. This dual confirmation is very, very, very common and adds conviction to your trade. Yesterday provided both signals at the critical 6068.25 level.
- Red Flag Alert - Squirrely Price Action Ahead: That 17-point candle overnight is a warning sign. With FOMC tomorrow, contract rollover intensifying Thursday-Friday, and double JOLT reports today, expect increasingly erratic price action. George is cooling his jets on expectations and may not even trade his cash account if he sees similar action. Don't force trades this week - better days are likely next week.
- Market Structure Observation - No Real Sellers Yet: Despite the bell-to-bell down move yesterday, bears couldn't accomplish one critical thing - they failed to create a single backside retest. Their best chance was after breaking the bull-bear line, but they couldn't sustain it. This means there are no real sellers here yet, which is why Battle Plan 2 long off a small pullback remains valid.
- Today's News Drivers: Double JOLT job reports (for two different months) hit 30 minutes after market open at 9:00 AM CST. George will be live streaming on YouTube. This could create interesting volatility, but remember - we're in the danger zone before FOMC, so manage risk accordingly.
- Journaling Prompt for the Week: "Where did I trade like a professional this week?" or apply it daily: "Where did I trade like a professional today?" This positive-focused prompt helps you identify and reinforce your best behaviors. Professional trading includes waiting for YOUR setup, taking profits according to plan, and walking away when the day is done.
- Today's Battle Plan Focus - Battle Plan 4: George's most interested trade today is Battle Plan 4. Make sure you actually READ the notes on this setup, not just look at the price map. You're short-cutting the process if you skip the detailed notes. The battle plan is unlocked for everyone to review at microstrader.com.
- Get Tomorrow's Trades Tonight: Visit microstrader.com and click battle to access your battle plan. George is getting better at publishing these right after RTH close. Pre-market Zoom room opens 15 minutes before market open for collaborative trade planning.
Opening Remarks
Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the AM Briefing for Tuesday, December 9th, brought to you by MicrosTrader.com.
Today’s tip of the day comes from the Battle Plan Builder, a new member benefit. We’re currently on Section 7. Let’s go ahead and move into it. We’ve already covered the first six sections. Section 7 is actually a pretty easy one: What instruments do you want to trade?
Defining Tradable Instruments
Clearly define which specific instruments you are allowed to trade. Maybe it’s just MES. You may choose to prohibit trading any other instrument.
In Tradeovate, the broker I use for my cash account, you can restrict which symbols you trade. Mine are restricted to MES only. This is a way to protect yourself from yourself. Many traders feel the temptation to trade that wild redhead stepchild in you—but you can restrict the ability to do that with the risk settings.
My account is set to MES only. From time to time, I get a little wild hair and add Bitcoin futures, but that’s rare. If Bitcoin gets to a level I've been monitoring, I might bring that back. But at the moment, it’s strictly MES only.
Battle Plan Recap
In last night’s battle plan, we did a full recap of what happened the day before. I think this is one of the most important parts. Yesterday I wrote: “Bulls control, no question about it.” So we give them the benefit of the doubt.
Even though we gave them the benefit of the doubt, the only trade we called out was Battle Plan 3—short. That was the only battle plan that activated. We watched for Battle Plans 1 and 2, but neither developed into a trading opportunity. We waited for Battle Plan 3 to materialize. We confirmed that was a trade we were interested in.
For traders who took it, they did very well. Most captured their near-instant 10 points per contract, called it a day, and closed the platform.
Trade Management and Runner Strategy
I want to make special note of this: If you used the three-contract system with a financed runner a point or so behind your entry—which is the most assured way to survive a double tap—you were looking good for a while. We’ll see that on the chart.
The “watch out below” strong range was just too strong. Plus, we got the Nvidia chip news that took you out of your runner. But it is what it is.
Let’s look at the news drivers first. Today is Tuesday, and we will be live streaming 30 minutes after the market open. Two JOLTS job reports are coming out—for two different months—so that might be interesting.
Essay Format Questions
- Where did I trade like a professional today?
Chart Review
Yesterday we opened with an interesting move down. It was ugly and lacked real level development. We were watching for Battle Plan Trades 1 and 2, which called for a long setup using the ladder pattern. That never materialized.
Sometimes, even when price comes into a battle plan zone, if you don’t get that snappy ladder back with fair value gapping candles—you wait.
The bull/bear line at 68.60.25 turned out to be a really nice level. In live trading, we were looking for a break of that level.
We got a first attack, second, third, and then hung out at the level. Finally, we hard-closed the level. What does “hard close” mean? A full candle opened and closed underneath the level, and then a second candle did the same. We called short here—and it was a nice move.
Traders who captured their 10-point targets—congrats. Nothing wrong with taking the win and walking away.
Multiple Contract Example
If you used the three-contract system:
- Took 10 points on the first
- Took another 10 points on the second
- Held a runner with a -5 point stop
You’d have made 20 points, then lost 5 on the runner—netting 15 points total. This tactic helps you survive a double or triple tap.
Nvidia news eventually pushed through. If you had a runner at -5, you’d still be in the trade. At -3, you would’ve been stopped out.
Once price cleared that strong range—originally named “Warning shot to bulls” and later changed to “Watch out below”—we got the flush.
Battle Plan Notes & Execution
In the battle plan notes for Trade 3 (possible short idea), I mentioned:
- This is a tricky area.
- We wanted to see a bounce off the bull/bear line before the short setup.
We got that bounce. Price came into the line, bounced, and then the short setup emerged.
Entries were available on both the 1-minute and 3-minute charts—common when price interacts with major levels.
If you took the short and held the runner, you could have easily seen a 50-pointer if we dropped to the 68.10 area. That’s your decision—take the 10/10/-5 system or hold for the extended move.
Even if you took the trade to breakeven, you’re out. No problem. But it’s a good topic of discussion.
RTH Close & Publishing the Battle Plan
We opened again, and this was when I published the battle plan. I’m getting better at publishing right after the RTH close. I was hoping for a lower finish, as I mentioned in Discord.
The mapped battle plan trades didn’t hit full target. Battle Plan 1 got above entry, but didn’t run to the target.
Yesterday’s trade didn’t hit full target either. Predicting breakouts in this environment is risky.
If you got a perfect entry, like on the 3-minute chart, and used the three-contract system, you were still in—but price came back on you.
We don’t know how far price will go. What we’re good at is identifying where price is likely to bounce. We trade that bounce with precision.
Overnight Price Action
Overnight, price got back into the range, bounced, and failed to follow through.
I wish I could predict how far a move goes—but I can only define where I want to engage. For example, if we’d taken Battle Plan Trade 2, I only drew it to the strong level, the bull/bear line. That’s where the price action was beautiful.
We then saw a 17-point candle. That’s a red flag. FOMC is tomorrow. We’re starting contract rollover.
Squirrely Market Conditions
As I’ve warned, the later we get in the week, the more “squirrelly” price action becomes.
If I see another move like that, I probably won’t trade my cash account. I’ll wait for better conditions—maybe next week.
We have a double news event at 9:00 AM. FOMC tomorrow. Thursday and Friday bring strong contract rollover. So I’m cooling expectations.
Trying to force trades in this environment will hurt you.
Final Trade Review and Outlook
Yesterday had one legit entry: the short. You either got it or you didn’t.
I personally took a first ladder long—dropped timeframes, took a 2-point loss. That was my only trade.
I didn’t take the short because I had already taken a small loss. It was Monday with no good level development. So I called it.
I missed the move, but that’s okay. I’m happy for those who took it.
Looking at today’s price action—it’s sideways. Squirrelly. Battle between bull and bear. I want to see a deeper pullback before trading.
My DOM will be closed. We will be live on YouTube this morning. Link is in the description.
Go get the battle plan. Actually read it. Don’t just look at the price map. Short-cutting the process is a mistake.
Market Context
Right now, we’re in the lower distribution. Is that bearish? Not really.
One thing we talked about yesterday: There are no real sellers yet.
Yes, it was a bell-to-bell down move. But the bears couldn’t create a backside. That’s a problem for them.
Their best chance to create one was here—but they couldn’t do it.
That’s why I crafted Battle Plan 2—for a small pullback long. Not expecting much follow-through, though.
If BP2 does pop, BP1 would be an interesting add-on, targeting the top.
The trade I’m most interested in today is Battle Plan 4. Make sure to read the notes on that as well.
That’s it for today. I’ll see my traders 15 minutes before the market opens. Have a great day.
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