Playbook 01 · Slide 05 of 10 · Sessions · Four Execution Windows

Trading Sessions Timeline

Twenty points built in layers across four session windows. Each window has its own characteristics, targets, and rules.

Session 1

8:30–9:30 AM

Prep only — no trades

Session 2

9:30–10:30 AM

Target: 5–8 pts

Session 3

11:00 AM–1:30 PM

Target: 5–7 pts

Session 4

2:00–3:30 PM

Target: 6–8 pts

8:30–9:30 AM

Pre-Market Prep

Mark key levels (Yesterday H/L · Globex H/L · VWAP · POC/HVN/LVN). Assess bias: Trend or Range day. Check economic calendar. Set daily loss limit & kill switch.

No trades — prep only

9:30–10:30 AM

Opening Drive

Highest volatility window. Breakout or fade the opening range. Momentum entries only — no counter-trend in first 15 min. Max 2 trades in this window.

Target: 5–8 pts

11:00 AM–1:30 PM

Midday Rotation

Play VWAP bounces and volume profile rotations. Smaller size, tighter stops (3–5 pts). Take partials quickly — midday moves are shorter and less clean.

Target: 5–7 pts

2:00–3:30 PM

Afternoon Push

Align with trend continuation or reversal into close. Use Fed / earnings / news catalysts if present. Complete the 20-point target. Scale: stagger exits at 10 pts + 20 pts.

Target: 6–8 pts

After 3:30 PM: Close all positions. No new trades. Log the day, review scores, set up for tomorrow.

Phases 1 & 2 Detail

Pre-Market Checklist: Yesterday H/L · Overnight range · Prior day VWAP · Major volume profile nodes (POC, HVN, LVN) · Bias assessment

Opening Breakout: Enter with momentum. Target 6–8 pts with partial exit at +5. Trail remainder.

Opening Fade: Fade extremes back to VWAP. Target 5–6 pts. Tighter stops at opening range extreme.

Risk Floor: Cap losses at 5–10 pts ($250–$500/ES contract). If stopped → reset, don't chase.

Phases 3, 4 & EOD

Midday: Harvest 5–7 pts. Play VWAP bounces. Smaller size, tighter stops. Partial exits: lock 5 pts, trail remainder.

Afternoon: Final 6–8 pts. Align with trend continuation. Use catalysts if present. Complete the 20-pt target.

Consistency Rule: Total harvest — 3 trades × 6–7 pts = 20 pts. Even 2 winning trades = net positive day.

EOD Review: Log all trades, score execution quality, note one improvement for tomorrow.