5 Things to Learn Before Trading Futures — Professional Trader Guide
1️⃣ Product mechanics & rules
Understand perpetual vs. fixed-date contracts, margin types, mark price, funding rates, and exact liquidation rules on your exchange.
2️⃣ Risk management basics
Position sizing, max percent risk per trade, maintenance margin, stop-loss placement — know how leverage multiplies both gains and losses.
3️⃣ Order types & execution
Master market, limit, stop-limit, reduce-only and post-only orders; learn about slippage, fills, and how low liquidity affects execution.
4️⃣ Strategy & testing
Know trend vs mean-reversion, hedging and spread strategies. Backtest and demo-trade until you have repeatable edge and clear rules.
5️⃣ Trade lifecycle & psychology
Plan entry, scaling, exits, rollovers and fee impact. Control fear/greed, avoid revenge trading, and stick to your pre-defined plan.
