2023
weekly range protocol
_amtrades
CONTENTS.
Part 1 / The Weekly Range
6-20
Economic Calendar
7
Intraweek Protocol
10
Weekly Profiles
13
Profile Reviews 20
Part 2 / The Daily Range
21-32
Daily Profiles
22
Intraday Data
28
Entry Logic
30
Step by Step 32
Part 3 / Trade Executions
33-60
Section Format
34
Trade Executions
35
Overview 60
Part 4 / Additional Resources
61-64
Standard Deviations
62
Consolidations
63
Price Cycles 64
Part 5 / Written Insights
65-70
Learning ICT
66
Mental Framework
67
Process
68
Sustainable Trading 69
DISCLAIMER.
The content presented in this educational resource is solely for
informational and educational purposes. It is not intended as financial
advice, and no portion of this material should be perceived as a
recommendation or endorsement to participate in any specific trading or
investment activities. Engaging in financial markets involves inherent risks,
and individuals are advised to conduct independent research before making
any investment decisions.
The creator of this educational material does not assume responsibility for
the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the provided information.
Any decisions made based on the information in this material are entirely at
the discretion and risk of the reader.
The educational content within this document introduces a trading system
that heavily relies on the discretionary judgment of the individual trader. It is
important to understand that the methodology presented involves
subjective decision-making and is not based on mechanical or automated
processes. The success of the trading system is contingent upon the
trader's ability to exercise discernment in various market conditions.
Upon accessing this educational material, you acknowledge and agree that
the creator, publisher, and distributors bear no liability for any losses or
damages resulting from the utilization of the information contained herein.
START.
Below are the most influential public ICT videos which set the foundation for
this trading approach. It is recommended to watch and understand these
videos as a prerequisite before learning through this resource.
Market Maker Series Vol. 4 of 5
Month 10 - Index Futures AM Trend
es
Month 8 - Essentials to ICT Day Trading
d
tra
Month 7 - Defining Weekly Range Profiles
m
_a
The Weekly Bias - Excellence in Short Term Trading
2022 Mentorship - Episode 10 (full series recommended)
Link
© The Inner Circle Trader
EXPECTATIONS.
Topics shared within this document establish a wholistic approach to the
market. The compilation of posts from 2023 are organized in a way to move
through in chronological order for the best learning experience.
economic calendar
narrative building
market profiling
bias confirmations
entry logic
PART 1 / The Weekly Range
ECONOMIC CALENDAR.
First, addressing a misconception. High impact news does not always create
the high or low of the week. If it did, there would be no reason to ever look
at a price chart for directional context.
The economic calendar is not for predicting weekly profiles before daily
candles begin printing on the chart. Instead, the economic calendar is a tool
for setting expectations for when low resistance price runs can occur within
a particular week. Before high impact news is an unfavorable condition for
expansion. After high impact news is a favorable condition for expansion.
That is the foundation for playing the probabilities with trading conditions.
s
Within the weekly range, high impact news releases do not always enter the
de
market in the form of manipulation to create highs and lows; they can also
be part of an expansion. High impact news is likely to be a manipulation for
an intraweek reversal when the days prior were consolidated or failed to
engage a relevant opposing high timeframe level. High impact news is likely
to be an expansion when the days prior formed the intraweek reversal. If
tra
neither scenario occurs, then there is no framework for a setup.
High impact news events bring speed into the market. It still plays within the
rules of valid levels and market narrative, but in an exaggerated manner due
to the increased volatility. The market will do what it was always set to do.
The simplified weekly protocol for an introduction to using the economic
calendar is to “avoid trading days prior to the first high impact news event of
_a
the week.” This is where the line is drawn between analyst and trader. While
others attempt to predict price before the week opens, you wait for
favorable conditions and use the previous days as data to more effectively
determine the formation of the weekly candle. That is where directional bias
is truly simple.
When addressing the weekly profile, the news events most likely to define
the weekly range are non-farm payroll (NFP), consumer price index (CPI),
and FOMC press conference. For those looking to further refine the
economic calendar, these are the events to focus on. They offer enough
significance to negatively effect the price movements of the days prior on a
more consistent basis.
Link
NFP PROTOCOL.
s
de
Non-farm payroll (NFP) is a news event which occurs most often on the first
Friday of each month. This is a significant news event for any market related
tra
to the United States as it is a crucial economic indicator. Navigate these
particular weeks accordingly.
m
_a
monday tuesday wednesday thursday post-NFP
_amtrades
interest
© Non-Farm Payroll Protocol - Trade Recap Link
EVENTS.
s
Tracking all events which effect price action within the asset being traded is
de
crucial for managing risk and determining market conditions. Concern the
weekly range with high impact news, avoid holding through medium impact
tra
news, understand the volatility of low impact news, and caution days before
m
and after holidays observed by the market.
_a
High impact news events:
Non-farm Payroll (NFP)
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
FOMC Press Conference
Medium impact news events:
Retail Sales
Producer Price Index (PPI)
Prelim Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
FOMC Meeting Minutes
Low impact news events:
10:00 Red Folder News
External market events:
Holidays resulting in a half or closed trading day
MONDAY RULE.
As a general rule of utilizing the weekly range, either participate on Monday
with caution or avoid the day indefinitely. Why?
Monday lacks significant high impact news events within any given week.
This guarantees that Monday always falls prior to a news driver which
increases the possibility for accumulation. The result can be high resistance
liquidity runs within the daily range.
s
In addition, as Monday is the opening day of the week, it has the tendency
de
to be part of the judas swing of the weekly range. Opposing runs to the
draw on liquidity are common and can catch unaware traders on the wrong
side of the market.
tra
Both of the common scenarios offer conditions which can result in
unnecessary losing trades. By simply allowing Monday to print on the chart,
m
the range can be studied in respect to relevant levels and used as data for
how the weekly range will form. Avoiding one day is a small price to pay for
_a
ensuring the optimal trading conditions under this specific system.
It is not a question of if Monday is a “good” or “bad” day to trade as that is
subjective to each trader and the way they view price. Few understand the
true reasoning for this rule as they classify it with a blanket statement of
positive or negative price action. It is about putting yourself in the best
position to establish a consistent directional bias.
© Month 8 - Essentials to ICT Day Trading Link
INTRAWEEK REVERSALS.
Each week has a point of reversal, and the best trading days follow it; there
are three steps to identifying:
Economic calendar paired with a weekly profile
Relevant daily price level
Hourly change in state of delivery
s
de
Once that framework is set, anticipate opposing days of expansion
tra
m
Link _a
Price reverses at external liquidity
Price retraces to 50.0% of the dealing range
Price leaves consolidations at the external range
Focus these tendencies on the daily chart as they result in intermediate
term (intraweek) reversals
Expansions will follow and that is what you want to trade
Price respects order blocks when expanding; use that as the framework
Link
High quality reversal structure with validations and invalidations:
Link
© Change in State of Delivery (CISD) - Simplifying Reversals Link
CONFIRMATION TOOL.
Utilizing an hourly change in state of delivery (CISD) is an introductory, but
effective, way to confirming intraweek reversals. This is a tool only used for
when prior narrative is determined.
Observe price engaging a relevant high timeframe level once narrative is
established and wait for price to close through opposing-close candles.
When bullish at a discount level, seek a close above downclose candles.
When bearish at a premium level, seek a close below upclose candles. This
signature notes a shift in order flow where price can begin expanding in the
direction away from the reversal.
Link
_amtrades
_amtrades
WEEKLY PROFILES.
Weekly profiles provide daily bias. Understanding the various ways the
weekly range forms is the key for knowing when to trade, establishing bias,
anticipating expansions, and much more. All other concepts within the
trading system fall through without this foundational knowledge.
Link
_amtrades
week day session
pages 1-50
Link
weekly profile
CLASSIC EXPANSION.
The Market Profiling Guide, Pages 5-16
Fr
_amtrades
Th
Mo
Tu
We
We
Tu
Mo
Th
Fr
_amtrades
CONSOLIDATION REVERSAL.
The Market Profiling Guide, Pages 17-31
_amtrades
Mo
Fr
Tu
We
Th
Th
We
Tu
Mo
Fr
_amtrades
MIDWEEK REVERSAL.
The Market Profiling Guide, Pages 32-47
_amtrades
Fr
Tu
We
Mo
Th
Th
Mo
Tu We
Fr
_amtrades
TGIF.
Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF) is a counter-trend opportunity presented on
Fridays of a classic expansion weekly profile when specific requirements in
price are met.
Monday or Tuesday intraweek reversal
One-sided expansion through Thursday
Opposing weekly objective achieved
Link
The Market Profiling Guide, Pages 13-16
_amtrades _amtrades
© TGIF Setup - 3 Step Framework Link
SIMPLIFIED PROTOCOL.
Profiling the weekly range is a subject which contains an extensive amount
of information. While the topic is complex, it can be simplified for new
learners while remaining effective.
Link
© Using Weekly Profiles for Daily Bias (Simplified) Link
PROFILE REVIEW.
Live market application.
Bullish Classic Expansion, February 2023 Link
Bullish Consolidation Reversal, March 2023 Link
Bullish Classic Expansion, March 2023 Link
Bearish Midweek Expansion, March 2023 Link
Bullish Classic Expansion, April 2023 Link
Bearish Classic Expansion, May 2023 Link
PART 2 / The Daily Range
DAILY PROFILES.
Daily profiles are effective for not only framing entries, but also for providing
confirmation of a higher timeframe bias. When the daily range aligns with
the weekly range, there is significant opportunity.
Assuming a set narrative based on the weekly range:
If London reverses, New York will be the distribution
If London consolidates, New York will manipulate the opposing range
If London expands towards the draw, New York is low probability
Link
If London does this,
Then New York should do that
Link pages 50-110
daily profile
LONDON REVERSAL.
The Market Profiling Guide, Pages 56-74
_amtrades
new york
london
NEW YORK MANIPULATION.
The Market Profiling Guide, Pages 75-93
_amtrades
london
new york
NEW YORK REVERSAL.
The Market Profiling Guide, Pages 94-110
_amtrades
london
new york
APPLICATION.
Draw out midnight opening price in time
Define relevant hourly levels for reversals
Study the relative formation of London session
s
de
New York offers the entry based on the outcome of those factors
tra
m
_a
study execution
8:30
0:00
11:00
INTRADAY DATA.
Link
DATA TRANSLATION.
Why does this data matter?
This hourly range data provides edge to traders who can properly interpret
the numbers in relation to signatures within the charts.
The data set is displayed for NASDAQ as the indices market presents the
most significant deviation from the average within a defined time window as
compared to other asset classes. Within the 9:00 and 10:00 hours, the
es
average range (116.9, 121.6) more than doubles the total average (54.89).
This is the time to be participating within the market once a directional bias
is established on the higher timeframes.
d
With the understanding that volatility drivers such as new releases and
tra
session opens are the catalysts for these time-specific large ranges, the
goal is to get onside around these events. Instead of being fearful of
volatility, know there is an edge within the functions.
Monday provides the smallest average range during the 9:00 and 10:00
_a
hours which gives context to the Monday rule as previous explained. The
consistent lack of high impact news releases on this day is the reasoning
behind this statistic.
News releases and session opens is all the market sees. There is no other
element of time which is as reliable and consistent.
ENTRY LOGIC.
All my entries occur around a volatility injection
In order of significance:
8:30
9:30
10:00
They only have two functions:
Induce manipulation to then expand
Expand if manipulation previously occurred
s
de
When a day is set for a large range, these times deliver the move
tra
m
Link
_a
On an intermediate timeframe, find where price is not going
Participate in the market at the right time
Draw
Stop loss
Time
When these align, anything within proper risk to reward can be an entry
This is how taking positions become simple
Link
EXPANSION.
s
de
When done properly, New York session will be expansive in line with the
tra
established directional bias. This is the most rewarding condition within any
m
market.
_a
Which array is used within an expansion?
Link
STEP BY STEP.
Before framing the economic calendar, I do not look at charts
s
Before defining an intraweek reversal, I do not move below the 4 hour
de
tra
Before identifying intraday framework, I do not move below the 1 hour
m
_a
Before approaching a relevant volatility driver, I do not consider an entry
Link
1
economic calendar
define trading conditions
2
intraweek reversal
pair with a weekly profile
3
intraday framework
confirm with a daily profile
4
volatility driver
use logic of functions
PART 3 / Trade Executions
format
DATE.
SYMBOL / points realized
Weekly range description
Daily range description
Profile
Execution
Link to complete trade breakdown
December 8, 2023.
NQ / 175 points
Consolidation reversal, Friday continuation
New York reversal
Link
December 5, 2023.
NQ / 150 points
Monday manipulation, Tuesday internal continuation
London reversal
Link
November 30, 2023.
NQ / 150 points
Midweek reversal, Thursday continuation
New York reversal
Link
October 26, 2023.
NQ / 210 points
Classic expansion, Thursday continuation
New York reversal
Link
October 13, 2023.
NQ / 170 points
Thursday reversal, Friday continuation
New York reversal
Link
September 22, 2023.
NQ / 100 points
Classic expansion, Friday counter-trend
New York reversal
Link
September 8, 2023.
NQ / 120 points
Classic expansion, Friday counter-trend
New York reversal
Link
September 6, 2023.
ES / 25 points
Classic expansion, Wednesday continuation
London reversal
Link
September 1, 2023.
NQ / 130 points
Classic expansion, NFP Friday counter-trend
New York manipulation
Link
August 18, 2023.
ES / 25 points
Classic expansion, Friday counter-trend
New York reversal
Link
August 17, 2023.
NQ / 120 points
Classic expansion, Thursday continuation
New York reversal
Link
July 26, 2023.
ES / 25 points
Midweek reversal, FOMC Press Conference
New York manipulation
Link
July 20, 2023.
NQ / 150 points
Midweek reversal, Thursday continuation
London reversal
Link
June 28, 2023.
NQ / 140 points
Classic expansion, Wednesday continuation
London reversal
Link
June 9, 2023.
ES / 25 points
Consolidation reversal, Friday continuation
London reversal
Link
May 19, 2023.
ES / 25 points
Classic expansion, Friday counter-trend
New York manipulation
Link
May 5, 2023.
ES / 30 points
Classic expansion, Friday counter-trend
London reversal
Link
May 2, 2023.
NQ / 140 points
Monday reversal, Tuesday continuation
London reversal
Link
April 28, 2023.
ES / 20 points
Midweek reversal, Friday continuation
London reversal
Link
April 27, 2023.
NQ / 85 points
Classic expansion, Thursday continuation
London reversal
Link
April 14, 2023.
NQ / 85 points
Consolidation reversal, Friday continuation
New York reversal
Link
April 13, 2023.
NQ / 120 points
Consolidation reversal, Thursday expansion
New York manipulation
Link
March 22, 2023.
NQ / 130 points
Midweek reversal, FOMC Press Conference
New York manipulation
Link
March 17, 2023.
ES / 40 points
Classic expansion, Friday counter-trend
London reversal
Link
March 14, 2023.
NQ / 130 points
Monday reversal, Tuesday continuation
New York manipulation
Link
OVERVIEW.
While I do not post all my trades and did not include all my posted trades
within this resource; the previous trade executions reflect type of trades
expected to be captured within the weekly range under a simplified
understanding of this system. When capturing large range expansions, all
you need are a few “obvious” setups executed properly.
Within any discretionary trading process, with experience comes more
advanced decision making. Start by focusing on the simple framework for
quality setups as shown within this document and progress will naturally be
made in the right direction.
There is an abundance in the simplicity.
Begin with this:
0-4 trades per week
2 maximum daily loss
Fixed dollar risk
2R minimum
Focus on quality, and staying consistent in rules; not on the frequency
Simply take as the market offers
Link
PART 4 / Additional Resources
STANDARD DEVIATIONS.
Anchoring standard deviations to the origin of manipulation provides
confluence for measuring the distance of where an expansion should end.
Link
CONSOLIDATIONS.
The market is always moving a cycle of large ranges to small ranges;
consolidation to expansion
Large ranges attract traders, only to be caught in small ranges
Small ranges turn away traders, only to miss the expansion
Avoid consolidations and make yourself available for the expansions
Link
Link
© Everything You Need to Know About Consolidations Link
PRICE CYCLES.
During a consolidation, wait for an external range manipulation
During a reversal, wait for a change in state of delivery
During a retracement, seek opposing arrays near equilibrium
s
Trade the expansions that occur as a result
de
tra
Emphasize these signatures on a daily chart
m
_a
Link
Link
PART 5 / Written Insights
LEARNING ICT.
After discovering ICT, it took me:
1 month to know discount versus premium
2 months to start annotating order blocks correctly
3 months to incorporate high timeframe framework
4 months to consider the economic calendar
5 months to implement daily profiles
6 months begin projecting standard deviations
7 months to understand the weekly range
8 months to consistently gauge market conditions
9 months to anticipate expansion days
10 months to build my current trading plan
s
de
All of that after 2 prior years of trading. And now over a year later, the refining process never
ends. Learning doesn't happen in an instant, there is no single "clicking moment." Your
tra
understanding is a result of showing up every single day for an extended period of time.
m
You will get what you are looking for, it is genuinely only a matter of time.
_a
Link
Episode 1 of the 2022 mentorship has 2M views
Episode 10 has 600,000
Episode 20 has 250,000
Barely 10% made it halfway through
And watching the videos is the easy part; learning from experience in the charts is the hard
part. Everyone wants the end result, while few will do the work.
Link
I have watched thousands of hours of ICT content; what I have learned:
s
There are no secrets
de
No technical method will save you from poor discipline
tra
90% of the concepts will not resonate with you, so be selective
Core Content is his best work
m
_a
Link
One simple path to learning ICT:
2022 Mentorship, the foundation of knowledge
Market Maker Series, the introduction to framing the weekly and daily candle
Core Content, the content for refining overall understanding
Link
MENTAL FRAMEWORK.
To think like a trader:
Instead of forming predictions, operate with if and then statements
“If the market does this, then I will do this”
This is how discretionary trading becomes systematic; and the more “if” criteria you set, the more
aligned you will be with the market
Link
Be obsessed with the process of trading, not the actual act of putting on trades
One is an obsession with learning, patience, and edge
The other is an obsession with the feeling of taking on risk for random rewards
Process driven makes money, money driven loses it
Link
s
Try to lose less, not win more
de
You know what a high quality setup looks like; the issue is acting careless during the time in between
tra
that setup actually occurring
Always one step forward, then two back
_a
Learn to be comfortable sitting still and the progress will quickly follow
Link
The market is never at fault
It is not out to get you
It does not know you exist
It simply generates information, and you either perceive an opportunity or you don't
Your own decisions are the only thing deciding the outcome of your performance
Win or lose, it's all up to you
Link
An entire year of price action includes:
252 daily candles
5,544 hourly candles
66,528 five-minute candles
There is an abundance of opportunity
Never allow short-term impulsive decisions to sabotage your long-term goals; remember that the
market will always open again
Link
PROCESS.
Trading should not be time consuming when operating within a defined
model. Set rules outline the high probability conditions to participate in, an
understanding of the specific time window will offer the setup, and a trained
eye for the structure. Rules and time, then price.
Once the first two factors are checked off, based on the charts, it should
take no longer than a few minutes to know if your model is in play within
that specific time. Any longer and you’re likely forcing yourself to see
es
something that isn’t there. A model should scream at you: so obvious that it
could not possibly be contradicted.
d
There is a reason people say ICT is over complicated. That’s because in a
tra
general sense, it is. There are hundreds of different concepts that can be
learned and brought to the charts for interpretation. It is your job to make
simplicity out of the complex. When you have too many concepts at play,
that is when contradiction creeps into the decision making process.
m
“Be curious, but question everything; combine value and exclude noise from
_a
the knowledge you gather.” Since we are all viewing the market through a
different lens, what I may see as value, you may see as noise. Do not use
something simply because someone said it works, use it because you see
obvious repetition in the charts. Anything you add to your model should only
bring clarity to get your position from entry to exit.
Link
Be obsessed with the process of trading, not the actual act of putting on
trades
One is an obsession with learning, patience, and edge
The other is an obsession with the feeling of taking on risk for random
rewards
Process driven makes money, money driven loses it
Link
SUSTAINABLE TRADING.
Everything you need to do; not the easy, but the necessary. Just one year done properly can change
everything.
First, stop comparing yourself to other traders. Forget the trades they took. Forget the profit they
posted. Forget the analysis they shared. None of that progresses your own trading as it is only adding
unnecessary pressure and expectations. Everyone is at a different stage in their development. When it
comes time to press the buttons, it will only ever be you and the charts. Any outside influences causing
you to hesitate on your decisions, feel impatience, or pull you outside of your trading plan should be
removed. The only thing that matters is the ongoing information the market is providing from your own
perspective; anything else is negative. You can learn from traders, but do not force yourself to replicate
them.
Second, avoid consuming targeted content. “Learn ICT in 30 minutes,” “100% win rate strategy,” “Easiest
model to learn,” or anything shared in a similar manner. Ask yourself how serious you take this. You
should be drawn to educational content for the potential value being offered, not because of a
s
perceived shortcut. These people only want your attention and are willing to choose views at the
expense of their followers progress. Never be a victim to this. Establishing any notable edge in efficient
markets will take a lot more effort, time, and refinement. Shortcuts will only lead to disappointment;
de
everything good in trading exists on the other side of the tedious work.
Third, journal every single trade you place; across all accounts, under any trade outcome. Journaling
can be uncomfortable for some, as it was for me at the beginning. It will expose the reality of your
performance and force you into change. If you never address your losses, your mistakes will slowly
become consistent habits. If you never address your wins, you will never be able to highlight the
positives. And at the same time, there are bad wins and good losses. Being able to distinguish between
tra
the two through journaling plays a significant role in refining a process.
Fourth, focus on learning just one price signature. The market distributes money to traders with defined
edge and takes from those who are inconsistent in actions. Being average in many approaches will
never compare to being proficient in only one. If you do not know where to start, my recommendation is
always to focus on capturing expansions within one specific market and time window. Expansion is the
m
intermediary phase of price delivery between consolidation, retracement, and reversal which offers the
least resistance to price objectives. Once a skill to anticipating expansions is established, you have a
foundation to build from. Entries become simple, managing trades becomes simple, and knowing when
to participate becomes simple; not easy, but simple. Regardless if this recommendation fits you,
focusing on one price signature is about concentrating your edge to specific moments when price is
_a
obvious and you can perform best.
Fifth, learn to be comfortable while remaining sidelined. This is the final point because it is crucial
learning point. Many attribute sitting out to missing out on opportunity, often due to my first point.
Seeing others trades, seeing others profits, and seeing others analysis play out. Allowing external and
irrelevant factors to influence your emotions and decision making on a market which does not see any
of those things. This is why patience is a struggle; you simply need a perspective shift. The purpose of
being sidelined is to remove yourself from the market during a time you would otherwise be at a
disadvantage. Protecting your capital during times which you would likely be at a loss is the equivalent
to making money. If you can consistently protect your money, your wins during times when edge is
present will be emphasized and not drowned out by previous losses. That is how you get the highest
expected value out of any trading system. At the same time, remember that being hesitant in an
abundant market is just as harmful as being ambitious in a market which is not offering. Both are
important when understanding the line between patience and a trade opportunity.
And that is it. If this could help lead just one person in the right direction, that is good enough for me.
These are the lessons among others that I will continue to preach throughout 2024.
Link
SOCIALS.
If you found this resource insightful, check out other social media links for a
variety of relevant content and to stay informed with upcoming projects.
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Homepage
