Trading Combine

Key Takeaways

• The most consistent results came from retracement pivots near the 61.8% Fibonacci level and pattern setups such as double tops/bottoms, triangles, heads-and-shoulders formations.

• A significant portion of profits was generated from a small subset of trades where I scaled in as the market moved favorably.

• Manual trading proved to be extremely demanding, both emotionally and in terms of time commitment.

• Moving forward, I recognized that automation is key, as it alleviates both the emotional strain and the significant time burden associated with discretionary trading.

Introduction

Objective: 

• Entered the $150K Topstep Trading Combine to strengthen psychological discipline and risk management in a structured, verified environment.

Approach:

• Traded under strict funded-account rules.

• Trailing drawdown: Initially $4,500, moved upwards with equity highs, and does not decrease.

• Daily loss limit: $3,000, resets daily. Fluctuates with the account balance.

• Strategy guided by price action analysis, with focus on discipline and risk control.

Period:

• July 27, 2023 - April 26, 2024 (93 trading days).

Markets Traded:

• Crude Oil Futures (CL).

• S&P 500 E-mini Futures (ES).

Trading Methodology

Core Strategy:

• Trendline following.

• Support/Resistance.

• Candlestick patterns.

Risk Management:

• Maximum loss per trade of ~$250.

• Maximum position size of 1 contract per trade.

• Typical risk-to-reward ratio of at least 1:1.5.

Execution Rules:

• Entry trigger on a signal bar.

• Exit trigger upon reaching profit target or stop loss.

Highlights*

*The following trade examples were made on a smaller account size after I ended my trading combine on the 150k account.

Trade Report

Instrument: Crude Oil (CL)

Contracts traded: 2

Date: 23-May-24

Position: Short

Entry Price: 78.14

Exit Price: 77.72 (first contract), 77.61 (second contract)

Profit/Loss: +$950

Reason for entry: Trendline and support breakdown (retracement trade)