Advanced Market Structure & Order Blocks (fadi)

Advanced Market Structure & Order Blocks indicator provides a new approach to understanding price action using ICT (Inner Circle Trader) concepts related to candle blocks to analyze the market behavior and eliminate much of the noise created by the price action.
This indicator is not intended to provide trade signals, it is designed to provide the traders with to support their trading strategies and add clarity where possible.

There are currently three main elements to this indicator:

1. Market Structure
   
2. Order Blocks
   
3. Liquidity Voids
   

Market Structure
In trading, market structure is often identified by observing higher highs and higher lows. An uptrend is characterized by a series of higher highs, where each peak surpasses the previous one, and higher lows, where each trough is higher than the preceding one. Conversely, a downtrend is marked by lower highs and lower lows.


Other indicators usually determine these peaks by calculating the highest or lowest levels within a predefined number of candles. For example, identifying the highest price level within the last 15 candles and marking it as a higher high or a lower high. While this approach offers some structure to price action, it can be arbitrary and random due to price fluctuations and the lack of proper structure analysis beyond finding the highest peaks and valleys within candle ranges.


In his 2022 mentorship, episode 12, ICT introduced an alternative approach focusing on three-candle pivots called Short Term High and Low (STH/STL), which are then used to calculate the Intermediate Term High and Low (ITH/ITL), and in turn, the Long Term High and Low (LTH/LTL). ICT’s approach provides better structure than the traditional method mentioned above. However, it can be confusing and difficult to track. There are great indicators that track and label ICT’s levels, but traders still find it challenging to follow and understand.


The Advanced Market Structure indicator takes a unique approach by analyzing candle formations, using ICT concepts, to identify possible turning points that mimic a real trader’s analysis of price action as closely as possible. However, it should be expected that Market Makers may use market manipulation to induce traders to make failed trades, and no tooling can eliminate these situations.

Advanced Market Structure tracks true Peaks and Valleys as they form, confirms them, and marks the chart with corresponding labels using traditional labeling methods (HH/HL/LH/LL), as such labeling makes it easier for traders to follow and understand. The indicator also draws levels to help identify possible liquidity areas and trade targets.

The indicator uses different calculation methods for the different type of market structure length, however all calculations are based on the same ICT candle blocks concepts.

Market Structure Settings

Other than the display settings, there are four (4) settings, mainly under the Level Settings section.

Allow Nested Candles

This option is only available on the Short Market Structure due to the methods used in calculating highs and lows. When used, the indicator will attempt to detect smaller fluctuations in price by tracking smaller candle moves, if any.

Level Settings

Level Settings allows the trader to decide two main calculations:

1. A new pivot point will form when a candle’s [open or high/low] is crossed by the following candle’s [close or high/low]
2. For a liquidity sweep and marking a level as mitigated, a candle’s [high/low or close] must cross that level

Order Blocks

ICT (Inner Circle Trader) defines an Order Block as the last down-closing candle, or series of candles, before a significant upward price move or the last up-closing candle, or series of candles, before a significant downward price move. These key price levels, marked by substantial buy or sell orders from institutional traders or "smart money," create a block or zone on the price chart. When the price revisits these levels, it often leads to a strong market reaction. Order Blocks can consist of one or multiple consecutive candles of the same color, signaling areas of significant buying or selling interest. ICT's approach to Order Blocks provides traders with a structured method to identify potential areas of support or resistance, where price movements are more likely to change direction. Although ICT has shared some criteria for identifying Order Blocks publicly, the full details are reserved for his upcoming books. This indicator leverages the publicly available information to provide traders with valuable insights into these crucial price levels.


The Advanced Market Structure indicator is designed to be highly flexible, allowing traders to define their own combination of rules for identifying Order Blocks, thus customizing it to fit their unique trading strategies.

Order Block Configuration

Can be nested
An Order Block is defined as the last down candle or candles before a strong move higher, and vice versa for bearish Order Blocks. However, larger-than-usual candles resulting from news events or price action may not qualify as Order Blocks and can mute any Order Block within their range.

The "Can be nested" flag ensures that each Order Block is treated as an independent entity, even if it appears within the body of another Order Block.

Forms at swing point
Order Blocks formed at swing points typically have higher probabilities but are less frequent, assuming the same rules are applied. Additionally, Order Blocks at swing points may become Breaker and Mitigation blocks if they fail, providing more trading opportunities.

Forms a simple pivot point
A simple pivot point corresponds to ICT Short Term High and Low (STH/STL). Order Blocks using simple pivot points can occur in the middle of a move, not just at swing points. These are useful for identifying IOFED setups and supporting blocks that can bolster the price move.

Causes Market Structure Shift
Order Blocks that result in a break above or below a short swing point can help narrow down target order blocks, but they are less frequent. An Order Block causing a break above or below a pivot point does not necessarily indicate a strong Order Block. For example, an Order Block formed at a Lower Low is more likely to fail in a downtrend.

A clean close above order block
When the first candle breaks above an Order Block and closes above its high, this indicates a stronger Order Block. On the other hand, if a candle merely wicks through the Order Block without a solid close above it, it suggests a weaker Order Block. This may indicate hesitation or an impending reversal, as the wick represents a temporary and unsustained price movement.

Has displacement more than X the body
While some traders may capitalize on the initial break above an Order Block's CISD level, others prefer to focus on the return to an Order Block after displacement. Displacement is determined by the body size of the Order Block, and an Order Block cannot be tested until this level has been achieved.

Has a Fair Value Gap
When an Order Block is combined with a Fair Value Gap (FVG), it signifies a strong Order Block. The Fair Value Gap indicates a strong price movement away from the Order Block.

Has a liquidity void
A Liquidity Void occurs when two consecutive candles of the same color do not overlap, creating a gap similar to a Fair Value Gap, but involving one or more middle candles. Liquidity Voids can be utilized in combination with, or as an alternative to, the displacement setting.

Maximum number of OBs
The maximum number of Order Blocks to display.

Mitigated at block’s
An Order Block is considered mitigated when price reaches one of the main Order Block levels.


Liquidity Void

Liquidity Void refers to areas on a price chart where there is one-sided trading activity. This phenomenon occurs when the price of an asset moves sharply in one direction, leaving gaps where two consecutive candles of the same color do not overlap. These gaps can comprise one or more middle candles and indicates a pronounced lack of trading within that price range. Liquidity Voids are important because they highlight areas of minimal resistance, where price is more likely to return to fill the void and balance the market.



Liquidity Void vs Fair Value Gap

While both concepts are related to gaps in price action, they are distinct. A Fair Value Gap is a specific three-candle pattern where the middle candle creates a gap between the first and third candles. In contrast, a Liquidity Void represents a broader area on the chart where there is little to no trading activity, often encompassing multiple candles and indicating a more pronounced imbalance between buy and sell orders.

A FVG can be part of a Liquidity Void, a Liquidity Void can exist without necessarily including an FVG. Both concepts highlight areas of minimal resistance and potential price movement, but they differ in their formation and implications.

Advanced Market Structure and Order Blocks indicator focus on liquidity voids since a liquidity void can substitute for a FVG and it is usually less addressed by other indicators.