The best trades often come from preparation and patience. Our recent $TSLA call trade on September 18th demonstrated how proper pre-market planning and disciplined execution can generate solid returns in volatile market conditions. This trade on the 435 calls expiring September 19th showcased the importance of having a clear game plan and sticking to your levels when opportunity presents itself.
Pre-Market Planning
The foundation for this trade was laid the evening before. At 7:14 PM on September 17th, I shared my Elite Focus watchlist on Twitter:
Elite Focus | 9.18 – 9.19 #TWTradeIdea
- $AAPL 242.5C > 240.1
- $ARM 155C > 154.98
- $TSLA 435C > 428.3
- $ZM 87C > 86.75
This pre-market preparation gave the TW Elite community clear levels to watch for potential entries. For TSLA, we were looking for the stock to break above $428.30 to trigger our 435 call setup.
The Setup
At 9:37 AM on Wednesday, September 18th, I alerted the community:
“Watching $TSLA 435C @everyone”
The stock was approaching our trigger level, and with options expiring the next day, we needed precise timing and quick execution. TSLA was showing strength in the pre-market and early session, setting up for a potential breakout move.
Entry and Risk Management
Thirty-one minutes later at 10:08 AM, we got our entry:
“$TSLA BTO 19SEP25 435C at $4.37”
Just one minute after entry at 10:09 AM, I established our risk parameters:
Stop: 426.3 or 425.3
Targets: 341.55, 433.52, 439.74
This structured approach gave us clearly defined profit zones and logical stop levels. With Friday expiration (next day), we needed TSLA to follow through quickly on any momentum.
Quick Execution and Scaling
The beauty of having a clear plan became evident in our rapid execution:
10:47 AM: First trim at $4.65
Just 39 minutes after entry, we secured our first profits with a solid 6.4% gain, demonstrating the importance of taking money off the table when available.
Seconds later: Second trim at $5.05
Our second exit captured a strong 15.6% return, showing how systematic scaling can lock in meaningful profits even on short-term trades.
Risk Management Philosophy
As always with our trading approach, followers were expected to manage their own risk appropriately. The key principles that applied to this trade:
- Move stops to break-even after initial profits are secured
- Trim positions systematically rather than holding full size
- Follow the established plan rather than getting emotional about the trade
Even without an official close announcement, disciplined traders would have either stopped out at break-even or closed their remaining position using proper risk management techniques.
Trade Results
This trade generated solid returns across our scaling exits:
Entry: $4.37 per contract
Exit 1: $4.65 (+6.4%)
Exit 2: $5.05 (+15.6%)
While these weren’t home-run percentage gains, the quick execution and disciplined scaling demonstrated consistent profit-taking in a volatile, short-dated options environment.
Why This Trade Worked
Pre-market preparation: Having clear trigger levels identified before market open
Quick recognition: Executing when TSLA broke above our $428.30 level
Short-term focus: Using next-day expiration for maximum gamma exposure
Systematic scaling: Taking profits quickly rather than hoping for bigger moves
Risk management: Clear stops and profit targets from the start
Market timing: Catching TSLA during a momentum period
Key Takeaways
This $TSLA trade demonstrates that consistent profits often come from preparation and discipline rather than trying to hit grand slams. By identifying our levels in advance and executing our plan precisely, we were able to capture meaningful returns in less than an hour.
The key was not overthinking the setup but trusting our pre-market analysis and maintaining strict discipline on our scaling plan. Quick profits and systematic trimming allowed us to participate in TSLA’s move without exposure to the volatility that often comes with short-dated options.
Remember: Success in trading comes from having a plan and sticking to it. Pre-market preparation, clear trigger levels, and disciplined execution – that’s what separates consistent performers from those who rely on luck.
Whether it’s a 6% gain or a 60% winner, profits are profits when you execute your plan correctly.
Preparation meets opportunity – that’s where profits live.