How to Build a Futures Trading Plan

A futures trading plan is a written set of rules for what you trade, when you trade, how you enter, how much you risk, and when you stop. It converts good intentions into decisions you can review.

1. Choose the markets and session

List the exact contracts you will trade, such as GC or MGC, and the hours when you are allowed to take new positions. A defined window reduces random trades and creates cleaner journal data.

2. Define the setup

Write the conditions that must exist before entry. Include higher-timeframe context, location, liquidity, confirmation, and the exact trigger. Avoid phrases such as “when it looks strong” because they cannot be reviewed consistently.

3. Set risk limits

Maximum dollar or percentage risk per trade.
Maximum daily loss.
Maximum number of trades per day.
Maximum weekly loss or drawdown.
A rule for reducing size after a loss, if your data supports it.

The position-size calculator should translate the risk-per-trade rule into a contract quantity for each setup.

4. Write stop and target rules

State where the original idea is invalidated, when a stop may be adjusted, how partial exits work, and what ends the trade. If discretion is allowed, define the evidence required to use it.

5. Add session stop conditions

Your plan should say when trading ends even if the platform still allows another order. Examples include reaching the daily loss limit, hitting the maximum trade count, breaking a rule, losing focus, or approaching a prohibited news window.

Good plans are specific: Another trader should be able to read the rules and understand what qualifies, what disqualifies, and how risk is controlled.

6. Review and improve the plan

Follow the same rules for a meaningful sample.
Review the journal by setup and market condition.
Change one rule at a time.
Date every revision.
Keep the old version so you can compare results.

Trading-plan FAQ

How long should a trading plan be?

It should be detailed enough to guide decisions and short enough to review before the session. Clear rules matter more than page count.

Can I change the plan during a losing day?

Emergency risk reduction is reasonable, but strategy changes are better made after the session with journal evidence—not while reacting emotionally.

Put the guide into practice

Open the matching Garner Gold tool and use the steps from this article.

Open Trading Plan Builder View all guides

Educational information only—not financial advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss. Verify current exchange specifications and prop firm rules before trading.