Concepts
Browse every pattern we teach. Search to jump to a specific concept, then open details.
An imbalance created when price moves up aggressively, leaving a gap between candle 1's high and candle 3's low.
An imbalance created when price moves down aggressively, leaving a gap between candle 1's low and candle 3's high.
The last down candle before an impulsive up move. Institutions often return to this zone to buy.
The last up candle before an impulsive down move. Institutions often return to this zone to sell.
Price spikes above equal highs to trigger buy stops, then reverses. A classic liquidity grab.
Price spikes below equal lows to trigger sell stops, then reverses. A classic liquidity grab.
The three major trading sessions: Asian (range-building), London (volatility), and New York (confirmation).
A failed bearish order block that flips to support. Price breaks through and the zone becomes a buying opportunity.
A failed bullish order block that flips to resistance. Price breaks through and the zone becomes a selling opportunity.
Price aggressively breaks a key lower high in a downtrend, signaling potential reversal to bullish.
Price aggressively breaks a key higher low in an uptrend, signaling potential reversal to bearish.
A bullish BOS confirms uptrend continuation. Price breaks above a prior swing high while the swing low holds.
A bearish BOS confirms downtrend continuation. Price breaks below a prior swing low while the swing high holds.
A previous swing high where shorts entered. When price returns after sweeping lows, those shorts get mitigated.
A previous swing low where longs entered. When price returns after sweeping highs, those longs get mitigated.
Equal highs form a buy-side liquidity pool. Buy stops cluster above, making it a target for smart money sweeps.
Equal lows form a sell-side liquidity pool. Sell stops cluster below, making it a target for smart money sweeps.
A bullish engulfing candle at a demand zone signals strong institutional buying. Body completely covers prior candle.
A bearish engulfing candle at a supply zone signals strong institutional selling. Body completely covers prior candle.
Price sweeps above an obvious resistance level to trigger buy stops, then immediately reverses. Wick above, close below.
Price sweeps below an obvious support level to trigger sell stops, then immediately reverses. Wick below, close above.
Price retraces into a liquidity void, often to the 50% level, then shows exhaustion and reverses in the original direction.
After creating a void, price partially fills it then continues in the original direction. Entry on reaction at void level.
A pause in an uptrend where smart money accumulates more longs. Often includes a spring (sweep) before breakout.
A pause in a downtrend where smart money distributes more shorts. Often includes an upthrust (sweep) before breakdown.
Asian session creates a range. London open sweeps one side, then reverses to target the opposite side. Classic ICT setup.
NY open (8:30-10 AM EST) often features a stop hunt of London session highs/lows before establishing the true daily direction.
London close (10 AM - 12 PM EST) features profit-taking. Morning trends often reverse or stall during this period.
A false breakout reversal pattern. Price breaks beyond an obvious high/low (taking liquidity), then immediately reverses.
ICT setup occurring in specific windows (10-11 AM or 2-3 PM EST). An FVG forms during this window for high-probability entry.
The sweet spot for entries at the 62%-79% Fibonacci retracement level. Offers best risk:reward for trend continuation.
The daily price cycle: Accumulation (Asian), Manipulation (London sweep), Distribution (NY true move).
A false directional move at session open that traps traders before the real move. The market 'betrays' early entries.
Signals potential reversal from bearish to bullish. Price breaks above a recent swing high protecting the downtrend.
Signals potential reversal from bullish to bearish. Price breaks below a recent swing low protecting the uptrend.
Smart Money Technique Divergence: correlated instruments fail to confirm each other's highs or lows, signaling reversal.