The Index Trading Course is a structured educational framework dedicated to trading broad market indices using both directional and non-directional strategies. Unlike stock-specific approaches, index trading focuses on macro movement, sector rotation, volatility shifts, and institutional capital flow — reducing single-company risk while increasing exposure to market-wide momentum.
Fontanills, Gentile, and Ruffy present index trading as a disciplined process built around analysis, strategy selection, and risk-defined execution. The book begins by explaining how indices function, how they differ from individual equities, and why they often exhibit cleaner technical behavior. Readers are introduced to index options, futures, and ETFs as vehicles for capitalizing on broad market trends.
A central theme of the course is strategic flexibility. Directional strategies are paired with income-oriented and volatility-based approaches, allowing traders to adapt to trending, consolidating, or uncertain market environments. The authors emphasize structured trade planning, probability assessment, and risk containment over prediction.
The accompanying Workbook transforms theory into applied practice. Through step-by-step exercises, scenario analysis, and structured review tests, traders are guided to internalize concepts rather than passively read them. This combination of theory and application elevates the material beyond a standard trading book into a true course format.
Overall, this work positions index trading as a professional discipline—balancing macro awareness, technical structure, options integration, and risk management within a coherent system.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
- How major indices are structured and how they differ from individual stocks
- How to analyze broad market direction using technical tools
- How to trade index options and ETFs strategically
- How to apply non-directional income strategies in neutral markets
- How to structure risk-defined trades based on volatility conditions
- How to test and refine strategies through guided workbook exercises
💡 Key Benefits:
- Reduces single-stock risk through diversified index exposure
- Combines technical analysis with options-based flexibility
- Provides structured, course-style progression
- Includes applied exercises for concept reinforcement
- Builds confidence in adapting strategies to changing market conditions
👤 Who This Book Is For:
- Traders seeking exposure to broad market movement
- Options traders wanting to specialize in index products
- Equity traders transitioning to diversified macro trading
- Market participants looking for structured trading education
- Not suitable for passive long-term investors or highly advanced quantitative developers
📚 Table of Contents:
The Index Trading Course
- Introduction to Index Trading
- Understanding Market Indices
- Index Options and ETFs
- Market Direction and Technical Analysis
- Volatility and Strategic Positioning
- Directional Index Strategies
- Non-Directional Income Strategies
- Trade Planning and Risk Control
- Managing Open Positions
- Advanced Strategy Considerations
The Index Trading Course Workbook
- Foundational Concept Review
- Market Scenario Exercises
- Strategy Application Drills
- Volatility-Based Case Studies
- Risk Management Calculations
- Performance Assessment Tests
- Comprehensive Practice Evaluations
The Index Trading Course and Workbook By George A. Fontanills, Tom Gentile




Rohan Franco (verified owner) –
I found The Index Trading Course and The Index Trading Course Workbook to be filled with useful and practical information on options, ETFs, the market, and trading in general. They explain the unique characteristics of these instruments in understandable terms and should provide a good foundation to those interested in trading index options and options on ETFs. The quizzes and media assignments in the Workbook are wonderful learning tools that help reinforce the information and concepts presented in the main book.
Samir Noble (verified owner) –
Education has been a major factor in the explosive growth in the options markets. Once again, Fontanills and Gentile have delivered as leaders in options education with The Index Trading Course and The Index Trading Course Workbook. These books provide a disciplined approach to trading index and ETF options through risk management.
Crosby Castaneda (verified owner) –
I traded in the OEX pit for almost twenty years and I can’t believe how well George and Tom nailed the core strategies and trading intricacies of index products. Nice job!
Charleigh McLean (verified owner) –
This is an excellent book for anyone who has an interest in learning about indices, index options, fundamental and technical analysis and what affects the market regarding index options.
Dakota Rogers (verified owner) –
1. The book spends more time covering such intricacies as what a bull market it, how to draw a trend line on a stock and what options are rather than was indices are, how they are built, how they are constructed, how they behave and how the exist in an international context, let alone how they contribute to portfolio dynamics and pitfalls to avoid when dealing with them.
2. Author makes an overt effort to promote his firm, Optionetics, throughout the text and encourages day trading of instruments.
If you’re a day trader have fun with this. If you’re on Wall Street and need a serious reference this is not worth the money.