1. Practice in a SandBox
Before trading live, you must develop 'muscle memory.' We use the IG Demo account to master the button-clicks with zero risk.
The Goal: Place 5 successful Short Puts in the demo environment.
The Goal: Set your 75% Profit Limits and watch them execute automatically.
Action: Use our partner link below to open your account and select 'Demo' to begin.
Free Account Setup Service
Content: Don't let the IG application process slow you down. If you are unsure about 'Option Enablement' or which account type to choose, we are here to help.
Action: Book a 15-minute Google Meet call with the team to get your platform 'Challenge Ready.'
⚠️ Risk Warning
ShareNavigator is a financial educator and not a regulated broker. We provide training for platforms including IG. Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with IG. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. Step by Step guide to placing a short put trade on IG Index
2.1 Finding the Market
Stop hunting through thousands of stocks. We follow a strict 3-click path:
Open the Options Menu: From the left-hand sidebar of your IG dashboard, click on Options.
Filter by Asset Class: Ensure the Indices button is selected at the top of the main window.
Locate US 500: Scroll down the list of markets to find US 500. Click the small arrow to the right of the name to expand the available expiries.
2.2 Selecting the Expiry & Strike
Choose Your Date: From the dropdown list, select the specific expiry for the trade (e.g., 30 Jan 26). This will open the Option Chain.
Identify the Puts Side: The screen is split into Calls (left) and Puts (right). Look only at the Puts side for this strategy.
Find the Strike Price: Scroll down the center column until you find your target strike (e.g., 6500).
2.3 Configuring the Deal
Open the Ticket: Click the Sell button (highlighted in red) next to your chosen strike. This opens the Deal Ticket on the right side of your screen.
Verify "Sell" Direction: Double-check that the Sell tab is active (red). Selling a Put is how we collect the premium income.
Set Your Size: Enter the amount you wish to trade in the Size box (e.g., 12 per point for account sizes of 10K).
Note: We have a rule of using a maximum bet size of 12 per point per every 10K account value. For example, if your account value is 30K you could use a maximum bet size of 36 (12*3)
2.4 Execution & Monitoring
Check Margin: Review the Margin requirement at the bottom of the ticket to ensure your account has sufficient funds to cover the trade.
Place the Deal: Click the green Place deal button to send your order to the market.
Monitor Live: Once filled, your trade will appear in the Positions tab at the bottom of the platform. You can track your Opening price, Latest price, and live Profit/Loss from here.
2.5 Closing the Trade & Taking Profits
Trading isn't just about the entry; it’s about the exit. While many Short Puts will expire worthless (allowing you to keep 100% of the premium), professional traders often close trades early.
By using Limit Orders, you can "lock in" 75% of your maximum profit without waiting for the final expiry. This significantly reduces your "time at risk" in the market.
The 75% Rule: Set a Trap for Profit
Professional traders don't sit and watch screens; they set traps.
Automate Your Win: Immediately after your trade goes live, you should set a Limit Order to buy the option back.
Remove Emotion: This automates your exit and keeps us on track for our 30% Target for 2026.
📊 The Math: How to Calculate Your Exit
To find your exit price, simply multiply your entry premium by 25%.
Example:
Entry Premium: You collected 32 points.
The Math: $32 time 0.25 = 8
Your Limit Price: 8
The Result: You are choosing to keep 24 points (75%) and "give back" 8 points (25%) to the market to exit early.
Rule of Thumb: If the price of the Put falls to 8, your order triggers automatically. You walk away with a guaranteed win while the market is still weeks away from expiration.
👨🏫 Mentor Insight: Don't Be a 'Nickel Picker'
"Stephen here. I see it all the time: a trader is up 75% on a trade, and they hold on for two more weeks just to get that last 25%. Then, a sudden news event hits, the market drops, and that profit evaporates.
We don't care about the last few points. We care about recycling our capital. Take your 75% win, close the trade, and move that margin into a fresh setup with a new 85% probability of success. That is how you compound wealth."
⚠️ Key Reminders
Check the Label, Expiry, Strike: Always ensure the ticket says US 500 PUT before clicking buy or sell.
Safety: We specifically choose strikes that sit below the current market price to provide a "buffer" for the trade.
Margin: Pick your position size to the margin level that you are comfortable with (everyone is different). We suggest that you never let margin get over 60% of account value.
2.6 Real Life Example
3. Support and Account Setup
3.1 🚨 Stop: Don't Trade Alone
Before you place your first "Live" trade, I want to personally vet your plan. Trading the US 500 Challenge is a professional endeavor, and every professional has a coach.
1. Book Your 1-on-1 Strategy Call
If you have opened your IG account but feel a bit "tech-shy" about the interface, schedule a 15-minute call with me. We will jump on Google Meet, look at your screen together, and ensure your account is configured for the Tax-Free Challenge correctly.
2. Join the Thursday Live Meeting (Free Pass)
Every Thursday at 1 PM, our community meets to scan the S&P 500. We look at the VIX, calculate our Theta, and call out our Strike Prices together.
The Goal: To move you from "Student" to "Trader" in a safe, supported environment.
The Gift: As a graduate of Course 3, you have a 1-Week Free Pass to join us. 👉
👨🏫 Mentor Insight: The Power of 'Over-the-Shoulder' Learning
"I can teach you the math in these lessons, but the 'feeling' of a trade is best learned by watching me do it live. In our Thursday meetings, you'll see me pass on trades because the VIX is too low, or roll a position because the 2% trigger was hit. Watching a professional manage real risk is the fastest way to gain your own confidence. See you on Thursday!
3.2 Setup your IG Account Here
Before trading live, you must develop 'muscle memory.' We use the IG Demo account to master the button-clicks with zero risk.
The Goal: Place 5 successful Short Puts in the demo environment.
The Goal: Set your 75% Profit Limits and watch them execute automatically.
Action: Use our partner link below to open your account and select 'Demo' to begin.
Free Account Setup Service
Content: Don't let the IG application process slow you down. If you are unsure about 'Option Enablement' or which account type to choose, we are here to help.
Action: Book a 15-minute Google Meet call with the team to get your platform 'Challenge Ready.'
🧪 Practice Before You Trade (Risk-Free)
We strongly recommend that all our students start by practicing these strategies in a simulated environment. This allows you to master the IG deal ticket, understand price fluctuations, and test your "Option Income Engine" without risking a single penny.
Ready to Execute? Get Your IG Trading Account
Need Help Getting Set Up?
Opening a professional brokerage account can sometimes feel a bit daunting. If you have questions about the application process, account types (Spread Bet vs. CFD), or the documentation required, I am here to help.
Schedule a 1-on-1 Onboarding Call with Stephen: We can jump on a quick web meeting to walk through the setup together and ensure your account is configured correctly for the US 500 Challenge.
'Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.'
Switch to a live account only once you are comfortable with the platform and your strategy execution.
'Invest with Confidence'