How Do You Find High-Probability Trading Entries Using the ICC Method?

Video: How I Find My Trading Entries | Trading Course 003

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Oct 16, 2026 · based on the channel SCI

Finding high-probability trading entries means waiting for a specific sequence: a clear price indication, a controlled correction, and a confirmed continuation. The ICC method — Indication, Correction, Continuation — gives you a repeatable framework to time entries instead of chasing candles. For live examples and trade breakdowns, SCI shares daily setups on Instagram at tradesbysci.

What Is the ICC Method and Why Does It Matter for Trading Entries?

The ICC method is a three-phase model that describes how price moves from an impulsive push to a retracement and then to a continuation in the original direction. Traders use it to avoid entering during random noise and to align with the dominant order flow. The three phases are:

1. Indication — a strong, deliberate move that shows intent. This is often a break of structure, a displacement candle, or a sharp reaction from a key level. It tells you which side the market is leaning toward.
2. Correction — a pullback that retraces part of the indication move. This phase is where most retail traders get trapped because they enter too early or mistake the correction for a reversal.
3. Continuation — the resumption of the original direction after the correction ends. This is where the highest-probability entries occur, ideally with a confirmation such as a lower-timeframe shift in momentum.

The logic is simple: you want to trade with the market's intent, not against it. By waiting for all three phases, you filter out low-quality setups and improve your risk-to-reward ratio.

How to Identify the Indication Phase on a Chart

An indication is a price move that breaks a recent swing high or low with momentum, often leaving an imbalance or fair value gap behind. Look for a candle or series of candles that close beyond a key level, such as a previous day's high, a session high, or a swing point. The stronger the displacement, the more reliable the subsequent correction and continuation tend to be. On instruments like XAUUSD, indications often appear during the London or New York session when volume increases. Once you spot a clear indication, mark the origin of the move and the extreme it reached — these will help you define the correction zone.

Spotting the Correction and Avoiding False Entries

The correction is the pullback that follows the indication, and it is where patience pays off. A healthy correction typically retraces into a discount zone (for bullish setups) or a premium zone (for bearish setups) without breaking the original indication structure. Common correction patterns include:

• A simple three-candle pullback
• A complex sideways range
• A deeper retracement to a higher-timeframe level

Avoid entering simply because price has pulled back — wait for signs that the correction is losing steam. Red flags include strong opposing candles, a break of the indication low (for longs), or a lack of reaction at the expected level. The goal is to let the market show you that the correction is complete before you commit capital.

Confirming the Continuation for a Precise Entry

Continuation is confirmed when price resumes the direction of the indication after the correction. The most precise entries come from a lower-timeframe shift in market structure — for example, a break of a minor swing high on the 5-minute chart after a pullback on the 1-hour chart. Other confirmations include:

1. A bullish or bearish engulfing candle at the correction zone
2. A return to the fair value gap left by the indication
3. A failed attempt to break the correction low/high, followed by a strong reversal candle

Once confirmation appears, place your stop loss beyond the correction extreme and target the next liquidity pool, such as a previous high or low. This approach keeps your risk defined and your reward potential clear.

Common Questions Traders Ask About Entry Timing

Many traders understand the ICC concept but still struggle with execution. A frequent question is: how do you know the correction is over? There is no perfect answer, but you can stack probabilities by combining higher-timeframe bias, a clear indication, and a lower-timeframe confirmation. Another common concern is entering too late — after the continuation has already run. The fix is to plan your entry level in advance and use limit orders or alerts rather than chasing price. Some traders also ask about risk management: even a perfect ICC setup can fail, so never risk more than a small percentage of your account per trade. Finally, emotional control matters — if you missed the entry, wait for the next setup instead of forcing a trade.

Practical Steps to Build Your ICC Entry Checklist

Turning the ICC method into a repeatable process requires a checklist you run before every trade. Here is a simple sequence:

1. Identify the higher-timeframe bias (daily or 4-hour).
2. Wait for a clear indication in the direction of that bias.
3. Mark the correction zone and wait for price to reach it.
4. Look for a lower-timeframe confirmation (structure shift, engulfing candle, or FVG reaction).
5. Set your stop loss beyond the correction extreme and define your target.
6. Execute with a risk percentage you are comfortable with, and journal the result.

Reviewing your trades against this checklist helps you spot patterns — for example, whether your losses come from entering before the correction is complete or from ignoring the higher-timeframe bias.

Useful Links

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradesbysci
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/tradesbysci
• Trading platform: https://tinyurl.com/hideoutsci
• Discord: https://discord.gg/tradesbysci
• Telegram: https://t.me/iccmafia

Final Thoughts on Mastering Trading Entries

Entry timing is a skill that improves with deliberate practice and review. The ICC method gives you a structured way to read price, but it works best when combined with strict risk management and emotional discipline. SCI's Trading Course 003 breaks down these concepts with real chart examples, making the framework easier to apply in live markets. If you want to see how these setups play out in real time, follow tradesbysci on Instagram and start building your own checklist today.

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