🔵Phase A — Stopping the Prior Trend
The previous trend weakens and a new range begins.
Key characteristics:
- •Trend slows
- •Preliminary Support/Resistance forms
- •Automatic Rally creates range boundaries
- •Volatility increases
Meaning (educational only): Smart money begins absorbing orders.
🟣Phase B — Building Cause
The market moves sideways as institutions build positions.
Key characteristics:
- •Range behavior
- •False breakouts
- •Liquidity hunts up and down
- •Irregular volume
Purpose: To build "cause" before the big move.
🟡Phase C — Spring or UTAD (The Trap)
Manipulation phase.
Key characteristics:
- •Accumulation: Spring below range
- •Distribution: UTAD above range
ICT equivalent: SSL/BSL Sweep → MSS → Displacement
🔴Phase D — Expansion
Real movement begins.
Key characteristics:
- •Break of structure
- •Strong displacement
- •FVGs forming
- •LPS / SOW confirmation
🟢Phase E — Trend (Markup/Markdown)
A clean, sustained trend.
Key characteristics:
- •Consistent structure
- •Fewer manipulations
- •Trend continuation until cycle restarts
⭐Why Wyckoff Matters Today
Because it aligns perfectly with:
Key characteristics:
- •ICT liquidity concepts
- •Quarter Theory levels
- •Session manipulation
- •Modern algorithmic price behavior
Wyckoff is the structure behind every ICT move.