**ICT Killzones in Trading: A Structured Overview with Chart Mapping** ICT (Inner Circle Trader) killzones are specific time windows during the trading day when institutional activity drives higher liquidity and volatility, offering strategic entry points. Here's a structured breakdown: ### **Key Killzones and Time Frames (EST):** 1. **Asian Session (7 PM - 4 AM EST):** - Typically range-bound; establishes highs/lows that may break during London/New York sessions. - **Focus:** Identify consolidation ranges for potential breakout trades later. 2. **London Open (3 AM - 5 AM EST):** - Initial European market activity; moderate volatility. - **Focus:** Watch for early trend signals or reversals as liquidity builds. 3. **London-New York Overlap (8 AM - 12 PM EST):** - **Primary Killzone:** Highest institutional participation (London and New York sessions overlap). - **Focus:** Strong trends, breakouts, and reactions to key levels (support/resistance, order blocks). 4. **New York Session (12 PM - 4 PM EST):** - Post-London overlap; reduced volatility but still active. - **Focus:** Continuation patterns or reversals (e.g., "12 PM EST reversal"). --- ### **Chart Mapping Strategies:** 1. **Time-Based Markers:** - Use vertical lines or shaded areas to highlight killzone periods on charts (e.g., 8 AM - 12 PM EST). - Align with your trading platform’s time zone settings (e.g., TradingView’s session indicators). 2. **Price Action Confluence:** - **Key Levels:** Mark prior day highs/lows, Fibonacci retracements, and institutional order blocks. - **Patterns:** Look for engulfing candles, pin bars, or breakouts within killzones. - **Fair Value Gaps (FVGs):** Price may fill gaps during these periods. 3. **Institutional Concepts:** - **Liquidity Pools:** Target areas where stop losses cluster (e.g., above/below Asian range). - **Market Structure Shifts:** Confirm trend changes (e.g., breaking consolidation during killzones). --- ### **Practical Application:** - **Example 1:** During the London-New York overlap, a bullish engulfing candle at a London session support level suggests a long entry. - **Example 2:** A breakout above the Asian range high during the New York killzone signals a potential trend day; enter in breakout direction. --- ### **Common Pitfalls:** - **Overtrading:** Avoid forcing setups outside killzones. - **Time Zone Errors:** Double-check session timings relative to your local time. - **Ignoring Context:** Align killzone setups with broader trends (e.g., buy in uptrends). --- ### **Summary:** ICT killzones emphasize strategic timing, combining institutional activity with price action analysis. By mapping these periods and focusing on confluence factors, traders enhance their edge in capturing high-probability moves. Always validate setups with multiple indicators (time, price, volume) for optimal results.