Day Trading Setup Checklist (Printable PDF)

Every great trade starts long before the opening bell.

Most traders think their success depends on finding the right ticker or timing the perfect breakout. But the truth is simpler — and far more powerful:

“Your results come from how well you prepare.”

Ask any consistent trader, and they’ll tell you — the first win of the day happens before the market even opens.

A rushed morning, messy charts, and no plan equals emotional trades. But a structured routine? That’s where consistency begins.

That’s why I created this Day Trading Setup Checklist — the same step-by-step process I use (and teach inside the Momentum Live Room) to make sure every day starts with focus, not FOMO.

In this guide, you’ll get:
✅ A complete pre-market checklist (so you know exactly what to do and when)
✅ Setup tips for your charts, scanners, and workspace
✅ A downloadable Printable PDF checklist you can keep on your desk
✅ The same preparation process 9,000+ Momentum traders use every morning

By the end, you’ll know how to walk into every session calm, confident, and ready — no guessing, no chaos.

Let’s get your trading setup dialed in.

Why Preparation Matters More Than Strategy

Here’s something most traders don’t realize until they’ve blown up an account or two:

“The best setup in the world won’t save you if you’re not prepared.”

Preparation is what separates the consistent from the chaotic. It’s what keeps you calm when the market’s flying and everyone else is chasing.

When your charts, scanners, and mindset are ready — you make decisions, not reactions.

You spot traps before they form.

You follow your plan instead of your feelings.

But when you skip preparation? That’s when FOMO, overtrading, and hesitation take over.

You start scanning blindly, jumping into random tickers, trading without knowing your risk, or trying to “catch up” with everyone else.

That’s not trading — that’s guessing.

The truth is, every professional trader you admire has a pre-market routine. They go through the same checklist every single morning — because they know consistency isn’t luck, it’s repetition.

That’s why I built this Day Trading Setup Checklist — to give you the same structure I use inside the Momentum Live Room each morning.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

You just need to follow it.

The Ultimate Day Trading Setup Checklist (Step-by-Step)

Consistency doesn’t start at 9:30 a.m. It starts the moment you sit down at your desk.

Use this checklist every morning before the market opens — the same one we use inside Momentum to stay calm, confident, and ready for action.

1. Clear Your Mind Before You Clear Your Charts

Trading starts with mindset, not monitors.
If you’re distracted, frustrated, or rushed, your brain will sabotage your trades.

If your head isn’t right, nothing else matters.

2. Power Up Your Workspace

A messy setup leads to messy trades.

Make sure everything is ready before scanning begins.

This isn’t about aesthetics — it’s about efficiency. When things go wrong in milliseconds, clarity is your advantage.

3. Set Up Your Charts Properly

Charts are your language. Read them clearly.

Don’t clutter your charts. The goal is focus, not decoration.

“A clean chart equals a clean mind.” — Kev Cabana

4. Run Your Scanners

This is where the day takes shape. Before the bell, find where the volume and catalysts are.

Remember: the goal isn’t to find more tickers — it’s to find better ones.

5. Build Your Watchlist

Now, narrow your focus. Most traders blow up because they try to trade everything.

If you can’t explain why a ticker’s on your list, remove it.

6. Define Your Risk and Game Plan

Before the first candle forms, your risk must be set in stone.

If you can’t define your stop, you have no trade.

7. Review the News and Market Sentiment

Momentum doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Always know the macro backdrop.

You’re not predicting the market — you’re preparing to adapt to it.

8. Visualize Your Execution

This part is where pros separate themselves.

By rehearsing mentally, you build automatic discipline when things move fast.

9. Double-Check Everything 5 Minutes Before the Bell

The final minute checklist before the chaos begins:

You’re ready. You’ve done the work. Now all that’s left is execution.

10. Download and Use the Printable Checklist

To make things easier, we’ve turned this exact routine into a printable PDF you can keep by your desk. It’s the same daily prep sheet used by Momentum traders worldwide.

👉 Download the Day Trading Setup Checklist (PDF)

Then, watch how it comes alive inside the Momentum Live Room — where Kev and thousands of traders use it every morning to stay sharp and consistent.

Inside Kev’s Pre-Market Routine (Real Example from Momentum Live Room)

Every morning, before 9 a.m., the Momentum room starts filling up. Screens flicker on. Charts load. Traders settle in.

While most people are still checking the news, Kev’s already deep into prep mode — doing the same thing he’s done thousands of times.

Let’s walk through what it looks like.

Step 1: Scanning the Market

Kev begins every day with a clean slate. No noise. No assumptions.

He opens his scanner and sorts by volume, gap %, and catalyst. The chatroom lights up as he calls out setups:

“$LOBO gapping 14% — volume’s building, low float, watching VWAP reclaim potential.”

 “$GNPX had FDA news premarket — holding levels above 2.15. Keep it on watch.”

He’s not guessing. He’s filtering. By 9:15 a.m., he’s narrowed it to three tickers — high probability, clean charts, clear plans.

Step 2: Building the Plan (In Real Time)

While traders scramble to chase news alerts, Kev’s calm. He marks up charts: pre-market highs, VWAP, risk levels.

His goal isn’t to trade everything — it’s to wait for confirmation.

“Patience pays. Let them chase. We’ll take the disciplined entry.”

The checklist’s already in front of him:
✅ Plan made
✅ Risk defined
✅ Watchlist finalized

Step 3: Setting the Tone

Right before the bell, Kev checks in with the room:

“Remember — no hero trades. Follow your plan. If it’s not A+, sit it out.”

It sounds simple, but that 10-second reminder changes the room’s energy. No panic. No noise. Just focus.

By the time the bell rings, hundreds of traders already know what they’re doing — because they’ve done the work before the market opened.

Step 4: Execution

When the first clean setup triggers — like a VWAP reclaim or opening range breakout — Kev calls it out live, explaining every decision:

“Volume’s confirming. Buyers stepping in. Entry through 2.30, stop 2.22 — tight risk.”

You hear the reasoning. You see the setup. You understand why.

That’s the power of preparation.You stop reacting to chaos and start executing with confidence.

If you’ve ever wanted to trade like that — calm, prepared, in control — this is where it starts.

👉 Join the Momentum Live Room for 7 Days Free →

Watch Kev prep, plan, and execute live every morning — and follow along using your own printed checklist.

Cancel anytime.

Why a Checklist Creates Consistency (and Confidence)

Trading isn’t about predicting the market — it’s about preparing for it. A checklist doesn’t make you robotic. It makes you free.

When you follow a consistent routine every morning, your emotions lose power.

You stop panicking when the market moves.

You stop second-guessing yourself.

You trade your plan — calmly, confidently, and with control.

That’s why every professional trader you know has a process.

They don’t wing it.

They repeat what works until it becomes instinct.

At Momentum, we live by one rule:

“You don’t rise to the level of your goals — you fall to the level of your preparation.”

This checklist is your foundation. It’s the first step toward trading like a pro, not a gambler.

Print it. Use it. Live it.

And if you want to see it in action every morning, join us in the Momentum Live Room, where Kev and thousands of traders walk through this exact process — from scanning to execution — in real time.

👉 Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now →

Download your printable checklist, follow the process, and trade alongside professionals who prepare, not panic.

Your best trading days start before the bell rings — with preparation that never misses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trading Setup

1. What is a day trading setup checklist?

A day trading setup checklist is a simple routine that helps you prepare for each trading session. It includes everything from mental prep to chart setup, scanners, watchlists, and risk planning — ensuring you start every day calm and ready.

2. Why do I need a checklist before trading?

Because the market rewards discipline, not speed. A checklist keeps you from skipping steps, chasing random tickers, or trading emotionally. Preparation builds consistency — and consistency builds profit.

3. What should be on my trading setup checklist?

Your checklist should include:

• Pre-market mindset reset
• Platform and workspace readiness
• Chart and indicator setup (VWAP, volume, key levels)
• Watchlist and risk planning
• Final readiness review before the bell

You can download the Momentum Trading Setup PDF to follow Kev’s exact pre-market process.

4. How long should my morning preparation take?

For most traders, 20–30 minutes is enough. The key is not to rush. The more consistent your prep, the smoother your trading day will be.

5. Do professional traders actually use checklists?

Absolutely. Every serious trader follows a checklist — even after years of experience. At Momentum, every trader in the live room uses the same pre-market checklist to stay structured and focused.

6. Can I use this checklist for swing trading too?

Yes, with slight adjustments. Swing traders can use the same steps — focus on scanning, building a watchlist, and defining risk — but apply them on daily and weekly charts instead of intraday.

7. How can I see this checklist in action?

Join the Momentum Live Room — you’ll watch Kev follow this exact process every morning, from scanning to executing trades live. You’ll see how professionals prepare, filter noise, and execute calmly under pressure.