The Inner Circle Trader (ICT), Michael J.

Huddleston, is a well-known figure in the forex trading

community, recognized for his advanced trading concepts centered around the Smart Money
Concept (SMC) and the Inter-Bank Price Delivery Algorithm (IPDA). His paid private mentorship,
which has been described as one of the most comprehensive yet challenging trading education
programs, focuses on institutional-level trading strategies, emphasizing price action, market
structure, liquidity, and time-based setups. While the mentorship is now closed, and much of its core
content has been made freely available on platforms like YouTube, the private program was known
for its depth and complexity, targeting traders willing to invest significant time to master algorithmic
trading principles. Below is a detailed overview of the advanced ICT trading concepts taught in the
paid private mentorship, based on available information from various sources.

---

### Core Philosophy of ICT’s Private Mentorship

The ICT private mentorship was designed to provide traders with an institutional perspective on
market movements, teaching them to “think like the market makers” and align with “smart money”
(institutional traders). The program emphasized:

- Price Action over Indicators: Avoiding traditional trend-following or momentum indicators, focusing
instead on raw price movements and market structure.

- Algorithmic Price Delivery: Understanding the Inter-Bank Price Delivery Algorithm (IPDA), which
Huddleston claims governs how price moves in financial markets.

- Time and Price Synergy: Highlighting the critical role of time in trading decisions, where specific
market hours (e.g., kill zones) and price levels converge to create high-probability setups.

- Liquidity and Manipulation: Recognizing how institutions manipulate liquidity to execute large
orders, allowing retail traders to anticipate and follow these moves.

The mentorship was delivered through extensive video content (reportedly 95 GB of material),
private forum discussions, and structured study guides. It was noted for its complexity, with key
concepts scattered across videos, requiring students to piece together the “algorithmic gems”
through dedicated study.

---
### Advanced ICT Trading Concepts

Below are the advanced concepts taught in the ICT private mentorship, compiled from various
sources describing the program:

#### 1. Market Structure and Institutional Order Flow

- Definition: Market structure analysis involves identifying trends, key levels, and potential reversal
points based on price action across multiple timeframes (e.g., daily, 4-hour, 15-minute, 1-minute).

- Advanced Application:

- Swing Points: Identifying higher highs/lower lows or lower highs/higher lows to mark significant
market structure shifts. These are often validated using fractal indicators, where a high/low is
flanked by two lower highs/higher lows. Higher timeframe swing points carry more weight.[]
(https://forextester.com/blog/ict-trading/)

- Institutional Order Flow Entry Drill (IOFED): A method to align trades with institutional buying or
selling by analyzing price action at key levels. This involves identifying entries during high-probability
moments when institutions are likely accumulating or distributing
positions.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- Change in State of Delivery: Recognizing shifts in market sentiment (e.g., from accumulation to
distribution) by observing price behavior around key levels, such as order blocks or liquidity zones.[]
(https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- Practical Use: Traders are taught to map out market structure on higher timeframes to establish a
bias (bullish or bearish), then drill down to lower timeframes for precise entries during institutional
activity periods.

#### 2. Liquidity Concepts

- Definition: Liquidity in ICT refers to levels where stop-loss orders or pending orders (buy/sell stops)
are clustered, which institutions target to execute large trades.

- Advanced Application:

- Internal and External Liquidity:

- Internal Liquidity: Stop-loss orders within a price range (e.g., equal highs/lows) that institutions
sweep to trigger retail trader stops before reversing.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-
services/)

- External Liquidity: Liquidity beyond key swing points (e.g., buy-side above resistance or sell-side
below support) that institutions target to enter or exit positions.
 - Liquidity Sweeps: Price movements designed to take out stop-losses (e.g., running stops above
equal highs or below equal lows) before reversing to the true directional move. For example, a
“Judas Swing” is a false breakout that traps retail traders before
reversing.[](https://innercircletrader.net/tutorials/ict-2024/lecture-1/)

- Unrealized Dealing Range: Areas where price has not yet interacted with liquidity pools, which can
act as magnets for future price action.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- Practical Use: Traders learn to identify liquidity pools (e.g., equal highs/lows, stop-loss clusters) and
anticipate institutional sweeps during specific times, such as the New York AM session (8:00–11:00
AM EST).

#### 3. Order Blocks

- Definition: Order blocks are specific price levels where significant institutional buying or selling has
occurred, often acting as support or resistance for future price action.

- Advanced Application:

- Types of Order Blocks:

- Bullish Order Block: A price level where institutions accumulated buy orders, often marked by the
last bearish candle before a strong bullish move.

- Bearish Order Block: A level where institutions distributed sell orders, marked by the last bullish
candle before a strong bearish move.

- Reclaimed Order Blocks: Previously broken order blocks that price revisits and respects,
indicating a shift in market dynamics.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- Open and Mean Threshold: Determining when to use the open price or the mean (midpoint) of an
order block for trade entries, depending on market
conditions.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- High-Probability Order Blocks: Identifying order blocks that align with multiple confluences, such
as liquidity zones, fair value gaps, or kill zones.

- Practical Use: Traders are taught to enter trades when price returns to an order block during high-
probability sessions, using lower timeframes (e.g., 1-minute) to confirm entries with candlestick
patterns like engulfing or inside bars.[](https://eplanetbrokers.com/training/ict-trading-strategy-
explained/)
#### 4. Fair Value Gaps (FVGs)

- Definition: A fair value gap is a three-candle pattern caused by inefficient price delivery, where a
significant price movement leaves a gap on the chart (e.g., a bullish gap shows strong buying
pressure, a bearish gap shows selling pressure).

- Advanced Application:

- FVG Inversion: When a bullish FVG is filled and turns into a bearish FVG (or vice versa), signaling a
potential change in market sentiment.[](https://www.xs.com/en/blog/ict-trading/)

- Multiple FVGs: Choosing the most relevant FVG for trading by prioritizing those aligned with
higher timeframe market structure or liquidity zones.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-
services/)

- Double Fair Value Gaps: Occur during aggressive price movements, often signaling the start of a
market structure shift. These are identified using Fibonacci retracement tools (61.8%–78.6% levels).
[](https://coursehuge.com/product/ict-mentorship-michael-huddleston/)

- Practical Use: Traders enter trades when price returns to fill an FVG, especially during kill zones,
using the gap as a confirmation signal for buy or sell setups. For example, a bullish FVG in a discount
zone may signal a strong buy opportunity.[](https://www.xs.com/en/blog/ict-trading/)

#### 5. Kill Zones and Time-Based Setups

- Definition: Kill zones are specific time periods during the trading day when institutional activity
peaks, creating high-probability trading opportunities.

- Advanced Application:

- Key Kill Zones:

- London Open (2:00–3:00 AM EST): High volatility, especially for GBP and EUR
pairs.[](https://eplanetbrokers.com/training/ict-trading-strategy-explained/)

- New York AM Session (8:00–11:00 AM EST): Overlap of European and American sessions, with
maximum liquidity. The “Silver Bullet” window (10:00–11:00 AM EST) is considered optimal for ICT
setups.[](https://forextester.com/blog/ict-trading/)

- Amplified Kill Zones and Mini Kill Zones: Shorter, more precise windows within major sessions
where institutional activity spikes.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- ICT Macros: Time interval macros that analyze price behavior within specific timeframes (e.g., 15-
minute, 5-minute, 1-minute) to identify high-probability setups.[](https://icttrading.org/forex-
trading-course-starter-level/)

- Time-Based Bias: Establishing a daily bias (bullish or bearish) by analyzing price action before 8:00
AM EST, then executing trades during kill zones. For example, in the 2024 Mentorship, Huddleston
emphasizes sitting at the computer by 8:00 AM EST and focusing on 15-minute, 5-minute, and 1-
minute charts.[](https://innercircletrader.net/tutorials/ict-2024/lecture-1/)

- Practical Use: Traders are taught to focus on kill zones for trade entries, using lower timeframes to
identify setups like relative equal highs/lows or market structure shifts. For example, after a liquidity
sweep in the New York AM session, traders wait for price to return to a range and close below a
swing low for a bearish setup.[](https://innercircletrader.net/tutorials/ict-2024/lecture-1/)

#### 6. Optimal Trade Entries (OTE)

- Definition: OTEs are precise entry points identified using Fibonacci retracement levels (typically
61.8%–78.6%) within an expansion range.

- Advanced Application:

- OTE in Confluence: Combining OTEs with other ICT concepts like order blocks, FVGs, or liquidity
zones for higher-probability setups.

- Swing Grading: Assigning significance to price swings based on their alignment with institutional
levels, using four concepts (e.g., momentum, structure, liquidity, and
time).[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- Pyramiding and Hedging: Advanced position management techniques to scale into winning trades
or protect against losses by balancing opposing positions.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-
services/)

- Practical Use: Traders use OTEs to enter trades at optimal risk-reward ratios (e.g., 1:3 or higher),
often during kill zones, with stop-losses set just beyond key levels to minimize
risk.[](https://coursehuge.com/product/ict-mentorship-michael-huddleston/)

#### 7. Advanced Tape Reading

- Definition: Tape reading involves analyzing real-time price action to identify market profile and
structure, anticipating algorithmic moves.

- Advanced Application:

- Reading Order Flow: Interpreting candlestick formations (e.g., large candles with minimal wicks) to
gauge institutional momentum. For example, strong bullish candles after breaking a buy-side
liquidity zone signal a buy setup.[](https://www.xs.com/en/blog/ict-trading/)

- Anticipating Reversals: Using tape reading to detect changes in the state of delivery, such as when
price fails to sustain momentum after a liquidity sweep.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-
services/)
- Practical Use: Traders combine tape reading with time-based setups to confirm entries, focusing on
high-momentum candles during kill zones.

#### 8. Market Maker Models (MMXM)

- Definition: MMXM is ICT’s favorite model, focusing on how market makers accumulate, distribute,
and manipulate price to execute large orders.

- Advanced Application:

- Accumulation and Distribution Phases: Identifying periods where institutions build positions
(accumulation) or offload them (distribution).[](https://theinnercircledragons.com/home)

- Smart Money Reversals: Recognizing reversals triggered by institutional activity, often after
liquidity sweeps or FVGs.[](https://theinnercircledragons.com/home)

- Standard Deviations and Structure Breaks: Using statistical measures to identify high-probability
reversal points or breakouts from key levels.[](https://theinnercircledragons.com/home)

- Practical Use: Traders apply MMXM to anticipate institutional moves, entering trades when price
aligns with accumulation/distribution zones during kill zones.

#### 9. IPDA Lookback and Cast Forward

- Definition: IPDA (Inter-Bank Price Delivery Algorithm) lookback involves analyzing historical price
data to predict future price action, while cast forward projects potential price targets.

- Advanced Application:

- Macro and Micro IPDA Ranges: Analyzing price behavior on intraday and higher timeframes to
identify key levels for entries and exits.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- ADR Tactic: Using the Average Daily Range to project daily highs/lows, combined with IPDA data to
refine trade setups.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- Practical Use: Traders use IPDA lookback to identify recurring patterns (e.g., liquidity sweeps) and
cast forward to set profit targets or stop-losses.
#### 10. Trading Psychology and Risk Management

- Definition: ICT emphasizes the psychological discipline required to execute trades consistently and
manage risk effectively.

- Advanced Application:

- Calibrating Stop Sweeps: Setting stop-losses beyond liquidity zones to avoid being stopped out
prematurely.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- Narrative and Context: Building a trading narrative by combining multiple ICT concepts (e.g.,
market structure, liquidity, time) to avoid trading patterns in
isolation.[](https://theinnercircledragons.com/home)

- Risk Management: Setting stop-losses just below/above significant lows/highs and targeting risk-
reward ratios of 1:3 or higher.[](https://www.xs.com/en/blog/ict-trading/)

- Practical Use: Traders are taught to maintain discipline by focusing on high-probability setups,
backtesting strategies on demo accounts, and avoiding overtrading.

---

### Structure of the Paid Private Mentorship

- Content Delivery:

- Videos: Over 95 GB of video content, including real-time analysis, trade breakdowns, and Q&A
sessions. Videos covered topics like Market Maker Models, order block theory, and IPDA open times
(e.g., 7:00 AM NY time).[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- Forum Discussions: Private forums where charter students discussed advanced topics, such as
grading swings, breakaway gaps, and measuring gaps.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-
services/)

- Study Guides: Meticulously organized notes categorizing videos by topic, with timestamps for key
lessons, designed to streamline learning.[](https://ictprivatementorship.com/our-services/)

- Duration: A 12-month program with monthly modules, building from foundational to advanced
concepts.[](https://coursehuge.com/product/ict-mentorship-michael-huddleston/)

- Cost: Previously rumored to cost over $20,000, though later estimates suggest $1,000–$5,000
depending on access level.[](https://innercircletrader.net/opinion/who-is-inner-circle-trader-ict/)[]
(https://eplanetbrokers.com/training/ict-trading-strategy-explained/)

- Accessibility: The mentorship is now closed, but much of the core content is available for free on
ICT’s YouTube channel, with third-party platforms like Tradingstrategycourse.com offering
structured resources.[](https://tradingstrategycourse.com/learning-from-ict/)
---

### Challenges and Criticisms

- Complexity and Volume: The mentorship was criticized for its overwhelming volume of content and
disjointed delivery, requiring significant effort to extract key
insights.[](https://theinnercircledragons.com/home)

- Teaching Style: Huddleston’s verbose style and tendency to go on tangents were noted as
drawbacks, making it challenging for beginners to
follow.[](https://www.reddit.com/r/Forex/comments/ymv1vy/has_anyone_been_successful_with_t
he_2022_ict/)

- Lack of Verified Success: Some critics argue that no students have confirmed leaderboard success,
and Huddleston’s own trading record has been questioned (e.g., blowing an account in the 2024
Robbins Cup).[](https://www.forexpeacearmy.com/forex-reviews/13001/inner-circle-trader-ICT)

- Accessibility: The high cost and time commitment made the mentorship inaccessible for some,
though free YouTube content mitigated this.[](https://eplanetbrokers.com/training/ict-trading-
strategy-explained/)

---

### Practical Application for Traders

- Backtesting: Traders are encouraged to backtest ICT concepts on demo accounts using tools like
Forex Tester Online, focusing on kill zones and confluences (e.g., order blocks +
FVGs).[](https://forextester.com/blog/ict-trading/)

- Markets: ICT concepts are applicable to forex, stocks, indices (e.g., NASDAQ, S&P 500),
commodities (e.g., XAUUSD), and cryptocurrencies, with slight
modifications.[](https://eplanetbrokers.com/training/ict-trading-strategy-explained/)[](https://
innercircletrader.net/tutorials/ict-2024/lecture-1/)

- Learning Path: Beginners should start with ICT’s 2016 and 2022 mentorship series (available on
YouTube), focusing on core concepts like daily bias, kill zones, and order blocks before tackling
advanced topics like IPDA lookback or
MMXM.[](https://innercircletrader.net/tutorials/ict-2024/lecture-1/)[](https://
tradingstrategycourse.com/learning-from-ict/)

- Structured Learning: Third-party platforms like The Inner Circle Dragons or

Tradingstrategycourse.com offer condensed, structured versions of ICT’s teachings, often created by
charter students like Ali
Khan.[](https://theinnercircledragons.com/home)[](https://tradingstrategycourse.com/learning-
from-ict/)

---

### Conclusion

The ICT paid private mentorship was a comprehensive program that taught advanced trading
concepts centered around institutional order flow, liquidity manipulation, and time-based setups.
Key concepts included market structure, order blocks, fair value gaps, kill zones, optimal trade
entries, and market maker models, all grounded in the IPDA framework. While the mentorship was
expensive and complex, its core principles have been made accessible through free YouTube content
and third-party platforms. Traders seeking to master these concepts must dedicate significant time
to study, backtesting, and practice, focusing on high-probability setups during kill zones and aligning
with institutional moves. Despite criticisms of Huddleston’s teaching style and lack of verified
student success, the ICT methodology remains a powerful framework for understanding market
dynamics, particularly for forex and indices trading.

For further exploration, start with ICT’s free YouTube playlists (e.g., “Market Maker Series,” “2022
Mentorship”) or visit structured learning platforms like Tradingstrategycourse.com or
innercircletrader.net for curated resources. Always backtest strategies on a demo account before
trading with real money, and focus on developing a narrative-driven approach rather than trading
patterns in isolation.[](https://www.youtube.com/c/InnerCircleTrader)[](https://
tradingstrategycourse.com/learning-from-ict/)[](https://theinnercircledragons.com/home)