In practice
The idea is that a session often begins with a move in the wrong direction. It runs the stops above or below the overnight range, draws in breakout traders, and then reverses into the move that defines the day.
Traders wait for it at the London or New York open: they note the higher-timeframe bias, let the early move take an obvious level against that bias, and look for a structure shift back the other way.
What to watch for
Not every session opens with a fake move. Some days the first move is the real one and never looks back, so fading every opening push is a losing habit without a clear bias and confirmation.
Related terms
3 terms- Power of 3ICT's idea that a candle forms in three phases: accumulation, manipulation (a false move) and distribution (the real move).
- Asian rangeThe high and low of the quiet Asian session; London often sweeps one side of it before the real move.
- Liquidity sweepPrice wicking through an obvious high or low to take the stops, then closing back inside and reversing.