Happy Monday, tradersā¦
Ben here.
At first glance, basketball players and traders might seem worlds apartā¦
One group spends their days on the court, running drills and perfecting their jump shots, while the other watches screens, analyzes charts, and tracks financial data.
But if you look closer, there are far more similarities between the two than initially meets the eyeā¦
In fact, traders can learn a lot from the discipline, focus, and mindset of top basketball players.
Few people know this better than yours trulyā¦
As a former Division I basketball player (turned professional options trader), I understand how certain aspects of athletic prowess translate to the trading floor.
From the importance of building on fundamentals to staying calm under pressure ā trading and sports have a lot in common.
Looking back, the lessons I learned on the basketball court have been invaluable in my trading careerā¦
These lessons gave me The Championās Mindset, which once helped me win basketball games ā but recently helped me book a 100% trading win rate throughout the entire month of Septemberā¦
Thatās right. I put 22 trades on in September, and all 22 were winnersā¦
A whole MONTH without a trading loss with an average trade result of 108.3%:
41% on TLT*
67% on DAL*
253% on CCJ*
150% on RKT*
160% on NCLH*
19% on PLTR*
300% on INTC*
168% on GOOGL*
64% on AAPL*
20% on X*
167% on AMZN*
25% on AMZN*
34% on MBLY*
200% on MSTR*
300% on RTX*
40% on LVS*
200% on GOOG*
20% on AAPL*
20% on RTX*
75% on NVDA*
40% on AMD*
19% on JBLU*
Want to find trades like these? Iāll explain how in my next SPYDER Workshop.
But first, letās break down the seven steps required to develop The Championās Mindsetā¦
1. Discipline Wins the Game
I didn’t become a great basketball player overnight. Being 6ā 8ā tall doesnāt automatically put you on the starting lineupā¦
It took years of disciplined practice ā shooting free throws, running drills, working on footwork ā day after day, for years.
Success in basketball is all about putting in the time, even when itās tough, repetitive, or just plain boring.
Trading is the same. Itās not about nailing one big trade that changes everything. Itās about showing up every day, developing a repeatable strategy, and sticking to it.
And speaking of consistent strategiesā¦
Earnings season starts this week, but despite what many traders think, earnings arenāt a mysterious enigma, completely unknown before the news breaksā¦
With the right tools and data, you can often see whether a company will beat or miss before the report occurs.
Click here to get a secret glimpse into earnings season with Operation: Master Calendar!
You see, just like I used to spend hours on the court perfecting my shot until it was second nature ā I now spend my time analyzing market data, refining my strategies, and researching trade ideas.
Consistency in practice leads to wins on the court ā and in the options market.
2. Focus on the Fundamentals
When I was playing Division I, my coaches always drilled the fundamentals into meā¦
Dribbling, passing, shooting ā these basics were at the core of every practice, no matter how good I got.
Sure, itās intriguing to try fancy new moves, but those are useless without a strong foundation. Even the best players, like Steph Curry or LeBron James, spend hours perfecting simple layups and free throws.
The same goes for trading. Itās easy to get caught up in complex strategies or chase the latest trends in the market.
But the basics ā understanding market trends, analyzing charts, and knowing how to plan a successful trade ā are what really matter.
Just as mastering the basics made me a better basketball player, focusing on the core principles of trading has made me a better trader.
3. Keeping a Cool Head Under Pressure
Iāve been that player at the free-throw line, with the championship game on the line, the crowd roaring, and all eyes on meā¦
The pressure can be intense, but you learn to block out the noise and focus on the task at hand ā draining the basket.
That ability to stay calm in the moment is something Iāve carried into my trading career.
In the trading world, high-pressure moments are just as common (if not more so)ā¦
The market can be unpredictable, and you might find yourself in situations where you have to make quick decisions ā like when stocks suddenly surge or plunge.
Staying calm and thinking logically is crucial. Reacting out of emotions ā like fear or excitement ā can lead to costly mistakes.
Just like I had to keep my cool on the court, I need to keep my head clear when the market gets unpredictable.
4. The Importance of Teamwork and Coaching
Basketball is a team sport. Even the most talented players need to work well with their teammates and follow the coachās game plan.
I learned early on that trust in your teammates and being coachable are essential to winning games.
In trading, Iāve found that having a mentor and being part of a trading community can be just as valuable.
A good mentor can provide guidance, offer feedback, and help you see things from a more experienced perspective.
Think of me as your trading coach.
Additionally, surrounding yourself with other aspiring traders, sharing ideas, and learning from each other can help you be objective about your performance ā itās called team trading.
Trading may seem like an individual sport, but you donāt have to go it alone ā If youāre looking to join a community of like-minded options traders, click here.
5. Learning from Losses
In basketball, youāre going to miss shots, turn the ball over, and sometimes lose games. Itās part of the sport.
But what separates good players from great ones is how they respond to those setbacks.
After a tough game, Iād review videos to determine what went wrong, focus on my weaknesses, and come back stronger.
It wasnāt about dwelling on the loss ā but learning from it.
Trading is no different. Taking losses is a part of the game. No trader wins every time.
But just like on the court, the key is to learn from your losses. I always ask myself: What I could have done differently ā did I stray from my game plan, or let my emotions get the best of me?
Analyzing those moments helped me win basketball games ā but itās also a big part of whatās helped me improve as a trader.
6. The Long Game vs. Short-Term Wins
As a basketball player, I learned to think beyond just the next shot. I had to consider how my actions would impact the whole game, the season, and my long-term vision.
A few missed shots didnāt matter as long as I stuck to the game plan and kept working hard.
In trading, itās easy to get caught up in daily market movements or the outcome of a single trade. But like in basketball, the focus should be on the big picture.
A consistent strategy that works over time is more important than chasing quick wins. By thinking about my long-term goals, I avoid getting thrown off by a few bad trades.
Itās just like how I had to trust the process during a long season ā patience pays off.
Bringing āThe Championās Mindsetā to the Market
Discipline, mastering the basics, staying cool under pressure, learning from losses, and thinking long-term ā the same qualities that make a great basketball player also make a great trader.
If youāre serious about trading, I want you to be a professional athlete in the markets.
Just like in sports, success in trading comes from preparation, practice, and a willingness to learn from every experience.
Who knows? The next time youāre watching a game, you might see a bit of your trading strategy on the court.
Happy trading,
Ben Sturgill
P.S. Jeff Zananiri has developed a brand-new algorithmic trading system, which has already delivered returns of 145% on QCOM, 235% on TECS, and even a staggering 900% on PBRā¦*
TODAY, October 14 at 1 p.m. EST, Danny Phee is joining Jeff for an URGENT LIVE EVENT to reveal everything you need to know about his AI-powered GAMMA Code System.
Let AI help you find triple-digit trades ā Click here to reserve your spot now!
*Past performance does not indicate future results
