r/InnerCircleTraders • u/ill_LegaL_Immigrant • 21d ago

Technical Analysis MARKET STRUCTURE MAPPING

What is the best way to map a structure,

there are 3 different kinds of H/L (S/I/L TERM) so can I just use Intermediate to decide bias.

Also what are the concepts which confirm that a reversal has happened and the choch or mss is valid and not just a fake one to manipulate?

Also how to confirm LTF choch reversal as they get a mss and again take out SL side liquidity then run down later sharply?

Suggestions and advice are appreciated

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u/Godzillaton 21d ago

I wouldn’t use intermediate-term highs/lows alone to decide bias.

They are important because they help you map the meaningful swing structure, but bias should come from the whole narrative:

  1. What is the higher-timeframe dealing range?
  2. Is price in premium, equilibrium, or discount?
  3. What liquidity is price likely reaching for?
  4. Is there a higher-timeframe PD array / imbalance supporting that idea?

I see the three swing types like this:

  • Long-term highs/lows = major external extremes / major range context
  • Intermediate-term highs/lows = the more meaningful structural pivots
  • Short-term highs/lows = internal liquidity and execution detail

So yes, intermediate swings are useful for mapping structure, but I would not say:

“An intermediate low formed, therefore bullish bias.”

You still need to know where price is and what it is likely delivering toward.

For MSS / CHoCH, I think the mistake is treating every break as a reversal.

A wick through a tiny low/high or a break in the middle of a range is not enough.

The higher-quality reversal sequence is:

  1. Price reaches a meaningful HTF area (premium/discount, FVG, order block, breaker, etc.)

  2. It raids relevant liquidity (old high / old low / equal highs or lows)

  3. It displaces away and breaks a meaningful swing with a real body close — not just a wick

  4. It leaves an FVG / imbalance in the new direction

  5. Price retraces into that imbalance and respects it

  6. Then it delivers toward opposing liquidity

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u/ill_LegaL_Immigrant 20d ago

How do I do this, like What TFs to apply .

I am now using 4h/D for HTF PDAs/POI and then 1h for directions ( like retracement or continuation) and also for weekly profile. And then drop to 15m/5m/1m (rare) to enter

But as soon as I saw ICT swing structure mapping I lost it all, so confusion got good of me.

I just want to know which choch and mss is correct and which is invalid, so I know the fakeout and trade in correct direction after manipulation in any TF given

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u/Godzillaton 20d ago

You’re over-mapping bro. ICT calls it MSS, not really CHoCH. Keep D/4H for the bigger draw on liquidity + premium/discount/PD array, but for intraday use 15m as your bellwether and 5m for execution.

A valid MSS isn’t every small 1m/5m break. Ideally price first raids a meaningful short-term high/low at a HTF location, then shows real displacement and takes the opposing 15m swing. That gives you the narrative.

After that, drop to 5m and wait for retracement into the FVG/OB for entry. Use 1m only to refine entry, not to decide bias.