Step-by-step checklists for pre-trade, trade execution, and post-trade review. Use every time to stay consistent.
Before the session / before looking for trades:
Market regime: Is the market trending or ranging on my timeframe? (HH/HL or LH/LL vs horizontal S/R.)
Higher timeframe bias: What is the trend on the next higher TF? (Only take longs in uptrend, shorts in downtrend—or note “counter-trend” if I allow it.)
Key levels: Where are support and resistance? (Mark them.)
Session / news: Am I trading in a good session (liquidity)? Any major news soon? (Avoid or reduce size.)
Mental state: Am I calm? Not revenge-trading from last loss? Not overtrading from FOMO? (If no, do not trade.)
Risk for today: What is my max risk today (e.g. 2% total)? How many trades max (e.g. 3–5)?
Before each specific trade:
Setup matches my plan: Does this trade fit my written setup (e.g. pullback to EMA in uptrend, bullish candle)?
Context: Is there a level (support/resistance) and/or structure (HL, HH)? Am I not trading in the middle of nowhere?
Entry: Do I have a clear entry (e.g. break of candle high, or limit at level)?
Stop: Where is my stop? (Below/above structure or level.) Is it before I enter?
Target: Where is my target? (Next structure, or fixed R:R e.g. 1:2.)
Position size: Size = (Account × Risk%) / |Entry − Stop|. Did I calculate it?
R:R: Is risk:reward at least 1:1.5 or 1:2? If not, skip or adjust target/stop.
When entering:
Enter only when all setup conditions are met. No “close enough.”
Use the order type I decided (limit at level vs market on break).
Place stop order immediately after entry (or have it attached).
Do not move stop against the trade. (Only to breakeven or to lock profit if that’s my rule.)
While in the trade:
No adding to losers (unless predefined scale-in plan).
If target is hit, exit (or take partial and trail the rest per plan).
If stop is hit, accept it. No revenge trade.
Right after the trade (or end of day):
Log the trade: Instrument, timeframe, setup type, entry, exit, stop, target, P&L ($ and R), date/time.
Rule adherence: Did I follow my plan? (Yes/No.) If no, what did I do and why?
Emotional state: What was I feeling? (Calm, fearful, greedy, revenge, FOMO.)
Screenshot (optional): Chart at entry for later review.
Weekly review:
Win rate this week. Average R (or avg win vs avg loss).
Best trade and worst trade—what went right/wrong?
Rule breaks: How many times did I not follow my plan? What triggered it?
Adjustments: Any change to my plan? (Only with data and calm thought; not emotional.)
Monthly review:
Expectancy (avg R per trade). Max drawdown. Profit factor.
By setup type: Which setups (e.g. pullback vs breakout) performed best?
Plan update: Do I need to refine entry/exit/stop or risk? Document changes.
Pre: Trend + level + setup + stop + size + R:R. Only then enter.
During: Stop is sacred. No add to loser. No move stop against.
After: Log every trade. Weekly: win rate, rule breaks. Monthly: expectancy, drawdown, plan.
See: 09 — Trading Psychologyarrow-up-right | 08 — Risk Managementarrow-up-right.
Last updated 18 days ago