Trading Plan Template
Your Complete Trading System Blueprint
Instructions: Fill in each section below. Save as PDF (File → Print → Save as PDF) when complete.
1. Trader Profile
Name:
Date Created:
Account Size:
Trading Experience:
2. Market Selection
2.1 Markets I Will Trade
2.2 Why These Markets?
2.3 Specific Instruments
(e.g., "S&P 500 stocks above $20, avg volume 1M+")
2.4 Trading Sessions
- Pre-market (4:00-9:30 AM ET)
- Regular hours (9:30 AM-4:00 PM ET)
- After-hours (4:00-8:00 PM ET)
3. Trading Style & Timeframe
3.1 Holding Period
- Scalping (seconds to minutes)
- Day Trading (hours, close by EOD)
- Swing Trading (days to weeks)
- Position Trading (weeks to months)
3.2 Primary Analysis Timeframe
3.3 Confirmation Timeframe
3.4 Why This Fits Me
4. Strategy Definition
4.1 Strategy Type
- Breakout
- Mean Reversion
- Momentum
- Range Trading
- Event-Driven
- Other: _____________
4.2 Setup Name
4.3 Entry Criteria (ALL must be true)
| # | Criterion | Specific Rule |
|---|
| 1 | | |
| 2 | | |
| 3 | | |
| 4 | | |
| 5 | | |
| 6 | | |
4.4 Entry Execution
5. Stop Loss Rules
5.1 Stop Loss Method
- ATR-based (___× ATR below entry)
- Technical level (below swing low/support)
- Fixed percentage (___% from entry)
- Time-based (exit if no progress in ___ days)
5.2 My Specific Stop Rule
5.3 Maximum Stop Distance
6. Profit Targets & Exit Rules
6.1 Target Strategy
- Fixed R-multiple (exit at ___R)
- Technical targets (resistance, measured move)
- Trailing stop
- Scaling out
6.2 My Exit Plan
6.3 Scaling Strategy (if applicable)
| Exit # | % of Position | Target | Stop Adjustment |
|---|
| 1 | | | |
| 2 | | | |
| 3 | | | |
7. Trade Filters (When NOT to Trade)
7.1 Market Conditions to Avoid
| Filter | My Rule |
|---|
| VIX Level | |
| Market Trend (SPY vs 200MA) | |
| Earnings | |
| Economic Data | |
| Time of Day | |
| Other | |
8. Risk Management
8.1 Position Sizing
Risk per trade: %
Formula: Position Size = (Account × Risk%) / (Entry - Stop)
8.2 Portfolio Limits
Max open positions:
Max portfolio heat: %
Max correlation:
8.3 Loss Limits
Daily loss limit: %
Weekly loss limit: %
8.4 Drawdown Protocol
| Drawdown Level | Action Required |
|---|
| -10% | |
| -15% | |
| -20% | |
| -25% | |
9. Daily Routine
9.1 Pre-Market Checklist
- Review overnight news
- Check economic calendar
- Scan for earnings
- Review open positions
- Check market context (SPY, VIX)
- Scan for new setups
- Create watchlist
- Set alerts
9.2 Post-Market Checklist
- Journal all trades
- Calculate P&L
- Identify mistakes
- Update watchlist
- Review tomorrow's calendar
10. My Edge Statement
I profit because:
11. Commitment
I commit to following this trading plan for the next ___ months without deviation. I will only modify it based on data from at least 50 trades.
Signature:
Date:
Next Steps:
- Fill in all sections above
- Print or save as PDF (Ctrl/Cmd + P → Save as PDF)
- Backtest your strategy with 50+ historical setups
- Paper trade 20+ trades with 90%+ rule adherence
- Review and refine quarterly