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The ICT Concepts contain structured set of rules and principles for trading. Their trading models are based on time and price framework. The combination of time and price action in ICT makes it unique and high-probability. The same applies to ICT One Trade Setup for Life. This method is highly dependent on existing ICT concepts. Trading with this model starts from higher timeframe analysis to lower timeframe entry.
This article explores understanding, components and trading with one trade setup for life.
Understanding of ICT One Trade Setup for Life
The One Trade Setup for Life is a structured trading model that follows a set of well-defined rules and principles. Like other trading models, this trading model is highly dependent on time and price framework. This model is centered around price movements, liquidity sweeps and hunts, and market structure shifts that occurs daily in financial markets.
This trading model uses the concepts in order to build a narrative for intraday trading. The model uses the concept of daily directional bias in order to understand the overall market direction for the rest of the day. It can be analyzed by incorporating three timeframe including daily timeframe, 4-hour and 1-hour for finding liquidity levels.
Most probable scenario happens when there is visible liquidity raids. This helps us to identify the next draw on liquidity. After the liquidity raids, we shift in lower timeframe like 5-min and 3-min for trade entries aligned with market structure shift. This is the visible evidence of directional shift.
Lastly, it is crucial to mark inefficiencies which could be in the form of Fair Value Gaps or new day opening range gaps. Market often retraces to these inefficiencies before continuing in its intended direction.
Remember, these concepts are used along with the time framework of ICT concepts. By aligning these concepts, traders can execute high-probability trades with well-defined entry and exit points.
Draw on Liquidity
In ICT concepts, Liquidity can never be ignored. It would not be incorrect to say that the whole methodology is centered around the concept of liquidity. In the context of price action and ICT, liquidity refers to the areas where traders have placed their stop loss and pending buy or sell orders. In ICT, this concept is also known as buy-side and sell-side liquidity.
The market is designed to hunt liquidity. Large institutions and algorithms seek liquidity pools to fuel their orders. This results in price spikes that hit stop-loss before the market moves in the intended direction.
Components of ICT One Trade Setup for Life
Successful execution of this trading strategy requires careful analysis of different trading session and liquidity events.
PM Session Ranges
The PM Session range is the previous day’s price movement 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM (New York Time). However, its usage differs in bullish and bearish market.
Start your analysis by identifying the highest highs and lowest lows within this time window. These highs and lows of the session gives a price range and the trade setup depends upon daily bias and liquidity raids.
With the expected bullish daily bias, expect price to drop below the PM session low to raid sell-side liquidity before reversing up. On the other hand, if the daily bias is bearish, expect the price to break above the PM Session range high. After sweeping buy-side liquidity, price reverse lower.
In Bullish bias, after taking sell-side liquidity below the PM session, look for a market structure shift in the direction of your bias before entering a long trade.
On the other hand, in a bearish bias, after taking buy-side liquidity above the PM Session, look for a market structure shift in the direction of your bias before entering a short trade.
London Session Raid
This is the most powerful trade setup especially for forex traders. Having a clear understanding of bias and other ICT components allows traders to trade this model effectively.
Start your analysis by marking the highest highs and lowest lows of the London trading session. According to New York time, the session starts from 2:00 AM and ends at 5:00 AM (kill zone).
On the New York Session open, anticipate liquidity hunts. This is highly dependent upon directional bias. If your bias is bullish, wait for the price to drop below London session low. This is a liquidity raid on sell-side liquidity.
If your trading bias is bearish, wait for the price to drop below London session high. This is a liquidity raid on buy-side liquidity.
As far as trade execution is concerned, we look for market structure shift in the direction of your trading bias. Enter your trade on the retracement, targeting a logical price level.
Opening Range Gaps
The market does not trade 24/7. This is the reason when it opens, gaps often occur due to price imbalances. Forex Market opens at 8:30 AM NY Time. Indices like Nasdaq and S&P500 opens at 9:30 AM NY time.
Gaps appear in both bullish and bearish market. If the market gaps up and you bias is bearish, expect price to hunt liquidity before moving down. If the market gaps down and your bias is bearish, expect price to hunt liquidity before moving up.
Large institutions will engineer liquidity during the AM session and use the New York Lunch hour (1:30 PM NY Time) for trade execution. For example, if price gaps up at market open and your bias is bearish, expect a liquidity raid at lunch hour before price sells off.
New York Lunch Raid
The New York lunch session is critical part of ICT Trading. It typically involves market manipulation before the next major move.
Its usage is highly dependent on liquidity raids and market structure shift. Start your analysis by identifying the highest high and highest low from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM NY time. If the market has not yet made a significant move, watch for a liquidity sweep during the lunch hours. A market structure shift will confirm the trade entry.
If your trading bias is bullish, wait for a liquidity sweep below the NY lunch range before buying. On the other hand, if your trading bias is bearish, wait for a liquidity sweep above the NY lunch range before selling.
AM Session Liquidity Raid
The AM session (9:30 AM – 12:00 PM) provides liquidity for future price targets.
If your trading bias is bullish and opt a long trade, the target will be the previous day’s AM session high. If your trading bias is bearish and opt a short trade entry, the target will be the previous day’s AM session low.
As an ICT trader, our trades align with historical liquidity points rather than random levels.
Mastering One Trade Setup for Life
In order to master the trading model, we need to follow the following steps:
- First step includes careful analysis of daily bias. Higher timeframe can be used for this purpose.
- In second step, we wait for liquidity raids on the following session timings discussed above.
- Thirdly, we wait for a market structure shift. A sudden shift in market structure signals a high-probability trade entry.
- Lastly, we wait for price retracement to lower timeframe PD Array like FVG or Order Block. Our target should be the next logical level or the draw on liquidity.
These are the few steps that should be followed in order to go for high-probability trade entry. This strategy work best because it aligns with how the market operates. Price moves to find liquidity, hunt stop-losses and then moves in the true direction.
Final note
The ICT One Trade Setup for Life is a powerful SMC trading strategy that uses time and price framework together to achieve high-probability trade entries. Time and price framework includes liquidity raids, market structure shifts and session-based price movements. This method eliminates randomness by aligning trades with institutional order flow. Along with ever benefit of this trading model, we have to be prepared for the risk involved in trading financial markets. Past price action can be used to understand market behavior it cannot guarantees future price movements. As SMC trader, we have to look for the high-probability trades. Never trade with the funds that you cannot afford to lose.
FAQs
What is the ICT One Trade Setup for Life?
The ICT One Trade Setup for Life is a structured trading model that focuses on liquidity raids, market structure shifts, and session-based price movements. It provides a high-probability trading approach based on institutional order flow and repeatable price behaviors.
Can beginners use this strategy?
Yes, but it requires patience and practice. Beginners should first master liquidity concepts, market structure, and session timings before applying this strategy.
How long does it take to master this strategy?
Mastering the ICT One Trade Setup for Life takes months to years, depending on consistency, practice, and market understanding.
I’m Abdullah Shah, a content writer with three years of experience in crafting engaging and informative content. My background in market analysis complements my work, allowing me to create content that resonates with audiences. I’m also a seasoned practitioner in the forex and crypto markets, with a strong foundation and deep interest in finance. My passion for the financial world drives me to produce content that is both insightful and valuable for those interested in understanding market trends and financial strategies.
