How to Find High-Probability Trading Entries Using the ICC Method

Video: How I Find My Trading Entries | Trading Course 003
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· based on the channel SCI
To find high-probability trading entries, you need to wait for a clear market structure shift, then a pullback that corrects that move, and finally a continuation signal in the original direction. This is the core of the ICC method taught by the SCI channel: Indication, Correction, Continuation. By following this sequence, you avoid chasing price and instead enter when the odds are stacked in your favor. For daily trade ideas and updates, SCI shares live setups on Instagram, where you can see the method applied in real time.
What Is the ICC Method and Why It Matters for Entries
The ICC method is a three-step framework that describes how institutional order flow typically moves the market: an initial impulsive move (Indication), a counter-trend pullback (Correction), and then a resumption of the original move (Continuation). Traders use this structure to identify where smart money is likely to step in and where retail traders often get trapped. Unlike indicator-based systems, ICC relies purely on price action and liquidity concepts, making it adaptable to any timeframe and instrument. SCI, the creator of the course, emphasizes that the method is simple but requires discipline to execute consistently.
Step 1: Identify the Indication Phase
The Indication phase is the first clear impulsive move that breaks a significant swing high or low, signaling a potential shift in market direction. This move should be strong and decisive, ideally leaving behind an imbalance or a fair value gap. Traders mark the origin of this move and the extreme point it reaches. Without a valid indication, any subsequent correction is just noise. SCI often looks for this on higher timeframes like the 1-hour or 4-hour chart to establish a bias before dropping to lower timeframes for entry precision.
Step 2: Wait for the Correction Phase
After the indication, price will often retrace into the area of the initial move, creating a correction. This correction is where the market gathers liquidity from early trend followers and where smart money accumulates positions. The key is to let the correction complete without jumping in too early. Common correction patterns include a simple pullback to a moving average, a retest of the broken structure, or a deeper retracement into an order block. SCI advises patience here: the best entries come after the correction shows signs of exhaustion, such as a rejection candle or a shift in momentum on a lower timeframe.
Step 3: Enter on the Continuation Signal
The continuation phase begins when price starts moving back in the direction of the original indication, confirming that the correction is over. This is your entry trigger. Traders can enter on the break of a minor swing point, a bullish or bearish engulfing candle, or a close above a key level. Stop-loss is typically placed below the correction low (for longs) or above the correction high (for shorts), while targets are set at the previous high/low or beyond. SCI often scales out partial profits at the first target and moves the stop to breakeven to manage risk.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many traders struggle with entries because they either chase the indication or enter during the correction without confirmation. The most common mistake is anticipating the continuation before the correction is complete, which leads to premature stops. Another error is ignoring the higher timeframe bias: an ICC setup on the 5-minute chart is less reliable if it contradicts the daily trend. Viewers of SCI's course frequently mention that emotional control and risk management are the hardest parts, even when they understand the ICC concept. To avoid these pitfalls, always wait for all three phases to complete, use a checklist, and never risk more than 1-2% of your account per trade.
Adapting ICC to Different Markets and Timeframes
ICC works on forex, indices, commodities, and crypto, but SCI primarily demonstrates it on XAUUSD (gold) due to its volatility and clear liquidity patterns. On lower timeframes like the 15-minute or 5-minute chart, the phases occur more frequently but with smaller ranges, making it suitable for day trading. On higher timeframes like the 4-hour or daily, the setups are fewer but offer larger profit potential. The key is to align your timeframe with your trading style and available screen time. SCI often combines a higher timeframe for bias and a lower timeframe for entry, a technique known as top-down analysis.
Useful Links
- Instagram – TradesBySci – daily trade ideas, behind-the-scenes, and updates.
- X (Twitter) – TradesBySci – live trade alerts and commentary.
- Trading Platform – Hideout SCI – the tool SCI uses to execute trades.
- Discord – TradesBySci – community chat, Q&A, and trade reviews.
- Telegram – ICC Mafia – instant updates and educational content.
Final Thoughts
Mastering entries with the ICC method is a skill that develops over time with practice and discipline. The framework itself is straightforward, but applying it consistently requires patience, risk management, and emotional control. SCI's Trading Course 003 breaks down each phase with real examples, helping traders see how the method plays out in live markets. If you want to deepen your understanding, follow SCI on Instagram for ongoing education and trade setups. Remember, no method guarantees profits—always trade with money you can afford to lose and keep learning.
Key takeaways
- ICC stands for Indication, Correction, Continuation — a three-phase framework for timing entries.
- The method works on any market, but SCI applies it primarily to XAUUSD and forex pairs.
- Entries are taken after a correction phase, not during the initial impulse.
- Risk management and emotional control are repeatedly highlighted by viewers as critical to success.
- SCI shares live trades and additional resources via Instagram, Discord, and Telegram.
Source: How I Find My Trading Entries | Trading Course 003 · Markdown version
Questions & answers
What does ICC stand for in trading?
ICC stands for Indication, Correction, Continuation. It is a price action framework that identifies three phases of a market move: the initial impulse (Indication), the pullback (Correction), and the resumption of the trend (Continuation). Traders use it to time entries after the correction phase, aiming to catch the next leg in the direction of the original move.
Can I use the ICC method on any timeframe?
Yes, ICC can be applied to any timeframe, from 1-minute to daily charts. However, the reliability and frequency of setups vary. Lower timeframes produce more signals but with smaller ranges, while higher timeframes offer fewer but larger moves. Many traders combine a higher timeframe for bias and a lower timeframe for entry to improve accuracy.
How do I manage risk when trading ICC entries?
Risk management is crucial. A common approach is to risk no more than 1-2% of your account per trade. Place your stop-loss below the correction low for longs or above the correction high for shorts. Consider scaling out partial profits at the first target and moving your stop to breakeven to protect against reversals.
What markets work best with the ICC method?
ICC works across forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. SCI often demonstrates it on XAUUSD (gold) due to its volatility and clear liquidity patterns. The method relies on price action, so it can be adapted to any liquid market with sufficient volume.