THE TRAPPED TRADER
Pre-Execution Protocol
Three checks. Every trade. No exceptions. If any step is unclear, you don’t enter.
The rule: Before every trade, confirm position size, stop placement, and directional bias. If you can’t check all three, you don’t take the trade. This isn’t optional. This is how you stop bleeding money.
1
Check Position Size
Is it within your risk rules?
Risk per trade ≤ my daily max %
Dollar risk calculated before entry
Not sizing up to “make back” a loss
Contract count matches my plan
2
Check Stop Placement
Is your stop at a logical level?
Stop placed at a structural level
Not an arbitrary round number
Trade is invalid if price hits my stop
Stop gives the trade room to work
3
Check Directional Bias
Does your analysis support this?
I have a directional thesis for today
This trade aligns with my pre-market plan
Not trading because I’m bored or angry
Key levels identified before entry
ALL THREE CHECKS PASSED?
YES: ALL THREE
Size is within your rules. Stop is at a structural level. Bias aligns with your plan.
→ Execute the trade
NO: ANY STEP UNCLEAR
One or more checks can’t be confirmed. This includes “I think so” and “probably.”
→ Step away. No trade.
TRADE LOG: DID YOU RUN THE PROTOCOL?
| Trade # |
Size ✓ |
Stop ✓ |
Bias ✓ |
Entered? |
Result |
Notes |
| 1 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Y |
+1.5R |
Followed plan, clean entry |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
TRADER’S TRUTH
The trades that hurt you most aren’t the ones where your analysis was wrong. They’re the ones where you skipped the process and got punished for it. Run the protocol. Every time.
HOW TO USE THIS
1. Print this page. Keep it next to your screen.
2. Fill in today’s parameters before the session.
3. Run all three checks before every entry.
4. Log each trade. Review at end of day.
Print a fresh copy each session. Track your protocol compliance over a week. You’ll see the pattern.
Trading futures involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This document is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.