doing this post because i see the same variation of this question over and over—"how do you trade ES?" or "what’s the best strategy for NQ?" people want some magic setup for a single index, but that’s the wrong way to think about it. the market isn’t just one thing—it’s a game of money rotation between ES, NQ, YM, and RTY. if you’re only watching one, you’re trading blind.

here’s the exact process i use every day before taking a trade.

step 1: check the scoreboard

open up ES, NQ, YM, and RTY. look at the % change on the day. not price. not some stupid MACD line. just who’s up and who’s down.

if everything’s moving together? cool, trend is strong.
if one is doing its own thing? someone’s getting juked. don’t let it be you.

step 2: spot the leader & the loser

• who’s the big gainer? (if NQ is up 1% but YM is flat, tech’s running but blue chips aren’t buying in)
• who’s getting smacked? (if RTY is red while ES & NQ are green, risk appetite sucks—don’t trust the rally)

big money doesn’t move all at once. it rotates. the key is spotting who’s being propped up and who’s being dumped.

step 3: read the con

this is where most traders eat shit because they see one index doing something and think that’s “the market.” nope. here’s how to actually read the game:

ES is the boss. if it ain’t confirming, be skeptical. if it’s leading a sell-off, that’s real—don’t fade it.
RTY is the snitch. small caps show real risk appetite. if RTY isn’t leading a rally, it’s weak as hell.
NQ is the fakeout artist. big flashy moves, but if ES & RTY don’t back it, it won’t last.

step 4: place the bet

now that you see the con, here’s how to trade it:

if NQ & YM are pumping but RTY’s slacking → check ES. if it’s flat, short the weak one (NQ or YM).
if NQ & YM break down but RTY holds → check ES. if it’s steady, buy the dip—it’s a trap breakdown.
if ES dumps first while NQ, YM, and RTY hesitate → short the hell out of NQ or ES. real selling is happening.
if all four indices hit resistance together → fade the move. big money is selling into strength.

step 5: don’t be a dumbass

once you’ve got the trade, manage it. don’t bag-hold a loser. if the indices suddenly align against you, GTFO and cut it. this is not financial advice.