This is a detailed training I created for members, but I’ve unlocked it for everyone watching this video. I’ll show you how to access it and why it matters.

Accessing the Training

First, click either the Member Portal or the Academy — they go to the same place. Let’s click Academy, since that’s where it’s located — inside the Core Strategy Academy.

This is your dashboard. You’ll see the Free Foundations Course, the Core Strategy Academy, your Journal Entries, and the Current Battle Plan.

Click Core Strategy Academy, scroll down, and select Leverage Metrics.

Understanding Leverage Metrics

Here we are — the Smart Calculator. This tool helps you determine the boundaries of your trading.

Let’s read through the “Leverage Metrics Information” section:

Every trader knows that sick feeling when a trade goes against them. The question isn’t if you’ll take losses — because you will. You’ll have red days. The key is whether you’ll survive them.

Your leverage metrics are more than just numbers — they’re math that keeps you funded. Create it, screenshot it, and keep it visible on your trading screen. It’s a constant reminder of the boundaries that keep you in the game — boundaries that you’ve defined ahead of time.

How It Works

This tool is designed so that your first trade carries the most leverage because you’re fresh, focused, and following your mapped-out plan.

If that trade loses, your next three trades reduce leverage — staying within your predefined metrics.

In this example, let’s assume a $300 daily loss limit. Half of that risk is placed on the first trade when your attention is sharp and price action is most responsive. If that trade fails, you de-leverage going forward, not increase your size.

You could also choose to risk the same amount per trade — just adjust your leverage metrics accordingly.

The Two Critical Thresholds

Every trader has two key numbers:

The Tilt Number (Effort Number) – this is where emotional discipline collapses. If a trade runs this far against you, your mindset breaks down, and poor decisions follow. This is how accounts get blown up.
Rule: never let a trade get anywhere near that number.

The Working Max Number – this is typically one-third of your tilt number. It stings, but it doesn’t wreck you. You can take the loss, reset, and come back tomorrow.

Setting Your Limits

This Working Max defines your maximum risk per trade or per day. Everyone’s number is different — newer traders often have smaller thresholds, and that’s okay.

If your tilt number is $300, your working max is $100. That’s the most you can risk on one trade. Not every setup deserves that much — reserve it for your A+ setups.

When I started with a $2,000 account, my number was $30. Later it became $60, then $150. These numbers grow as you grow. The key is to know your number and respect it.

If your working max is $100 and you allow three trades per day, your daily loss limit is $300. Know your numbers. Respect your limits. Stay in the game.

Key Takeaway

Leverage metrics are vital. They’re not just about risk — they’re about survival. Staying away from the number that makes you go “stupid,” as I like to say, is the key to long-term success.

Moving to the Charts

Now, let’s hop on the chart.

On Sunday afternoon, I published two things:

Strong Levels – key price areas likely to matter most if reached.

The Battle Plan – how we want to trade those levels.

Last Friday closed at an all-time high, and I marked strong levels both above and below price. Sunday night, we gapped up massively — so I posted an update.

I advised doing nothing immediately. Let price develop first. You don’t have to trade every session.

Monday Through Friday Recap

Monday: One short and two long core-strategy trades. I avoided the short because bulls were in control. Long was the play.

Tuesday: Likely no valid core-strategy trades, though a small bounce from a break level gave a minor opportunity.

Wednesday: FOMC day — a no-trade zone. We traded live in the afternoon for scalps, but that’s not part of the core strategy.

Thursday: Four shorts and one long. No losses. I took a short and captured 10 points before price hit a strong level and bounced. Strong levels worked beautifully this day.

Friday: One clean long, two potential shorts (likely break-even or small gains). After several ladders down, a reversal pattern formed — but it didn’t quite reach my ideal entry zone, so I passed.

Battle Plan Review

Monday’s Battle Plan: Trade #1 — possible short idea near the expected range, laddering back inside. The idea worked partially, offering short opportunities, but bulls maintained control.

Tuesday: No Battle Plan due to FOMC and earnings risk.

Wednesday Night / Thursday: Battle Plan Trade #2 became the preferred trade — a long opportunity as price reclaimed the gap. This one aligned perfectly with the core strategy.

Thursday Night: Only two trade ideas. The first was a small add-on after reclaiming the strong level. The second reached the top of my target zone but not the bottom, so I didn’t take it — sometimes patience costs you, but that’s fine.

Closing Thoughts

Sunday afternoon, I’ll publish a new set of Strong Levels and an updated Battle Plan for the week ahead.

Hope you had a great week. Trade smart, know your numbers, and I’ll talk to you soon.

Methodology

Video: How To Trade The Battle Plan

Each evening, I scan the ES chart and ask one primary question:

Where are the bulls and bears positioned?

"Great bears know where the bulls are.
Great bulls know where the bears are."

The arrows you see highlight those pressure points...zones where reactions in price are most likely.

Careful consideration is given to trend, range structure, liquidity pools, and our Strong Levels — a custom TradingView indicator available to paid Battle Plan or full Micros Trader members.

Most arrows lean toward the buy side. That's no coincidence as the ES is a long-biased instrument over time.

How you choose to trade these zones is entirely up to you:

Entry:

• Our Core Strategy: Low-time frame bounce levels.
• Level Reclaim: Market order with proper stop loss under low.
• Your own preferred method: Just use the arrows as a price map and trade on your own confirmation.
• Paper Trade til confident.
• Set Alerts on TradingView as ES/MES trades 23 hours a day. Entries may occur at any time.

Instrument:

• Futures — My primary instrument as our group trades ES/MES futures as scalps and multi-day holds.
• Option spreads

Nothing on this page is a trade recommendation.
I am not a financial advisor.

Mapped Out Entry Paths: An Explanation

Video: How To Trade The Battle Plan

First, note that the numbered trades are provided only as a visual reference. They do not indicate priority or importance.

Green Path: My preferred trade location and the expected price path.

White Path: Alternative trade paths worth watching, with potential for market movement.

Refer to the chart notes below for important details about entry risk.

⚠️ Reminder: Always base your trades on your own confirmation signals. The outlined scenarios simply reflect one trader’s perspective—mine.

Strong Levels Indicator Access

[Content protected for Battle Plan, Battle Plan + Monthly Zoom Pass, Two Week Battleplan Membership members only]

Zoom Link

[Content protected for Battle Plan + Monthly Zoom Pass, Two Week Battleplan Membership members only]