ICT · 2025-07-05

The Complete ICT Learning Roadmap and Essential Terminology

The ICT trading method encompasses an enormous amount of knowledge; if you are a beginner you will certainly feel confused and not know where to start, nor which module to choose to study.

In this article series, Trading Hub 3.0 will share with traders a complete ICT learning roadmap together with advanced knowledge to help both beginners and those who have studied before to master the knowledge.

The ICT terminology and learning roadmap are as follows:

Phase 1: Understand the core ICT concepts

The first phase focuses on building a solid foundation by clearly understanding the main concepts that drive price movement and market behavior.

PD Arrays

1. The Premium & Discount (PD) concept:

In the ICT method, the PD price range is divided into two main zones:

• Discount Zone (low price zone): located below the equilibrium point.
• Premium Zone (high price zone): located above the equilibrium point.

2. ICT Dealing Range combined with Fibonacci:

ICT uses the Dealing Range concept to determine an important price range, usually measured by a swing high and a swing low.

Read the article: <../ict/ict-part-0-what-is-a-pd-array-what-is-ote-what-is-a-poi.html>

When combined with Fibonacci retracement, traders can:

• Recognize potential entry points with high probability.
• Accurately determine reasonable exit zones.

3. Order Block (OB)

An Order Block is a price zone where smart money places orders with large volume.

An OB acts as an important support/resistance zone and is a sign showing where price is likely to reverse.

4. Breaker Block (BB)

A BB is an Order Block that failed and was broken but then acts as a support/resistance zone when price returns.

5. Fair Value Gap (FVG)

An FVG is a price gap formed when the market moves quickly and leaves no trace of trading in that zone.

This is a zone of liquidity shortage, where price often returns to fill it.

6. Mitigation Blocks:

An MB is a price zone where the market returns to process previously unfilled orders.

Commonly seen after price breaks out and returns to retest.

Liquidity Zones

1. Buy & Sell-Side Liquidity

These are zones where traders usually place stop-loss orders.

This is precisely the “bait” for Smart Money, where price will head to trigger liquidity before reversing.

Read about buy & sell side liquidity.

2. Liquidity Sweeps

The market tactic of “sweeping liquidity”, causing price to break through a high/low zone to trigger stop losses, and then quickly reverse.

Correctly recognizing a Liquidity Sweep will help you avoid being trapped.

3. ICT Liquidity Voids

An LV is a liquidity gap where price moves too quickly and leaves no orders, but afterward tends to return to fill it.

This is a potential trading opportunity.

Phase 2: Structure Analysis & Market Profile

This phase focuses on analyzing advanced market structure and repeating price cycles, helping traders recognize high-probability trading opportunities.

ICT Market Profiles

1. Weekly & Intraday Profiles

Learn how the market moves in the weekly cycle and intraday to predict future price behavior.

This is a tool that helps traders determine favorable times of day/week to enter trades.

Refer to the article: <../ict/ict-part-6-weekly-profile.html>

2. Daily Bias

Build a trading bias for each day based on past price behavior and liquidity position.

Daily bias is a foundational factor in the ICT trading strategy.

3. Market Maker Buy/Sell Model

Understand how the market maker manipulates price to trap retail traders, then executes their orders.

The MMXM model helps recognize “traps” and avoid emotional trading.

4. Judas Swing

These are “fake-out” moves that occur at the open of an important session, causing retail traders to enter in the wrong direction before the market reverses.

Correctly recognizing a Judas Swing helps you avoid being trapped.

Core patterns

1. AMD

Recognize the repeating cycle on every timeframe consisting of 3 phases:

• Accumulation
• Manipulation
• Distribution

This is the core cycle that helps you understand the nature of price behavior.

2. CISD

Understand how the market moves through:

• Consolidation
• Impulse
• Shift
• Displacement

→ The CISD model is an effective tool for recognizing real breakouts instead of being trapped.

3. MSS

This is a powerful signal showing that the market has changed its trend structure, opening up trading opportunities in the new direction.

MSS usually occurs after price violates an important high/low.

Phase 3: Timing Strategy & Entry Techniques

In this phase, traders will learn how to perfect their entry and exit skills by combining session analysis, golden times (kill zones), and high-precision execution models.

Time & Price Theory in ICT

1. Session trading

Master price behavior in the three main trading sessions to identify good opportunities:

• Asian Session: Low volatility, sideways market → determine the price range.
• London Session: Strong volatility, the session with the main move of the day.
• New York Session: Where reversals or trend continuations take place.

2. ICT Kill Zones – The golden timeframes

The timeframes of the day when the activity of large institutions takes place strongly:

• London Open: 7AM–10AM GMT
• New York Open: 7AM–10AM EST
• London Close: 2PM–4PM GMT

These are the times with the highest probability of Liquidity Sweep, MSS, FVG appearing.

3. Silver Bullet Strategy

An advanced entry model, focusing on a specific time window within the session, where price often reacts strongly and can reverse.

This strategy helps you enter trades accurately with low risk.

Precise Order Execution

1. High probability on entry

Confluence of many technical factors to raise the win probability:

• Order Block
• Liquidity Zone
• Session Timing

2. OTE (Optimal Trade Entry)

Use the Fibonacci Retracement 61.8% – 79% levels within the ICT Dealing Range to determine the optimal entry zone.

3. Backtesting

Review past trading data to check the model, draw lessons, and increase accuracy for future entries.

Phase 4: Risk Management and Trading Psychology

This is the final phase, helping traders to:

• Master their emotions in trading
• Manage risk effectively
• Build a sustainable trading plan over time

Money Management & Risk Control

1. Risk management

Never risk more than 2% of the account on each trade. You should adjust the risk level based on:

• The state of drawdown (a losing streak)
• A phase of consecutive wins

→ This is a survival principle that helps traders survive for the long term.

2. Risk:Reward (RR)

Always aim for a ratio of at least 1:2, i.e. risk 1 to make 2.

A good RR ratio helps you maintain profit even when the win rate is not very high.

3. Stop Loss & Take Profit

Place stop loss / take profit points at reasonable positions, such as:

• Above/below liquidity zones
• Behind support/resistance levels

→ Helps you exit trades at the right time, without emotion.

Building a Stable Trading Plan

1. Avoid Emotional Trading

Trading with the Inner Circle Trading method requires absolute discipline. Avoid overtrading or revenge trading after losses.

2. Trade Journaling

Record over 100 trades to analyze:

• Repeating patterns
• Common mistakes
• Opportunities to improve performance

3. Focus on High-Probability Models

Only choose 1–2 main models and master them before expanding your strategy portfolio.

Above is the entire ICT learning roadmap and the terminology you need to know, simplified for readers. The SMC x ICT book will be compiled by the Trading Hub 3.0 team and delivered to you as soon as possible.

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