1. Welcome to the ICT Essential Course
Welcome to the ICT Essential Course, a structured and practical introduction to the Inner Circle Trading (ICT) methodology developed by Michael Huddleston. This free course is designed to break down ICT’s powerful trading concepts into clear, actionable lessons that traders of all skill levels can apply.
Here, we strip away the confusion and focus on the true principles of price action, liquidity, and market structure, as taught by ICT. My name is Dave – No Nonsense Trader, and my goal is to present these concepts in a structured way that makes learning ICT easier and more accessible.
What You’ll Learn in This Course
By the end of this course, you’ll have a solid understanding of:
✔️ Market Structure & Price Action – Learn how to read the charts like an institutional trader.
✔️ Optimal Trade Entries & Exits – Master the timing of your trades using ICT principles.
✔️ Risk Management & Capital Protection – Discover how to manage risk and safeguard your account.
✔️ Trading Psychology & Discipline – Develop the mindset required for long-term trading success.
Whether you’re new to trading or looking to refine your skills, this course will provide a structured path to mastering ICT strategies—without distractions, gimmicks, or unnecessary noise.
2. What Is ICT Inner Circle Trading?
ICT Inner Circle Trading (ICT) is a trading methodology created by Michael Huddleston that focuses on understanding market structure, price action, liquidity, and institutional order flow. Unlike many retail trading strategies that rely on lagging indicators, ICT strategies aim to read the market like smart money—institutions, hedge funds, and major liquidity providers.
I’ve studied ICT’s methods in-depth, and as Dave – No Nonsense Trader, my role here is to help you absorb these concepts in a straightforward, no-nonsense way. If you’re looking for a shortcut, this isn’t it—ICT trading requires discipline and patience, but those who commit will find precision, structure, and consistency in their trading.
Core Principles of ICT Trading
📌 Market Structure Awareness – Identifying key swing points, break-of-structure (BOS), and liquidity zones.
📌 Smart Money Concepts (SMC) – Understanding how institutional traders manipulate price movements.
📌 Liquidity & Stop Hunts – Recognizing where liquidity pools exist and how price is drawn to them.
📌 Precision Entries & Exits – Learning to time trades using ICT’s time-and-price theory.
📌 Risk Management & Capital Protection – Managing trades like a professional to ensure long-term success.
By following ICT principles, traders can develop a strategic, disciplined approach that moves beyond random setups and into precision-based trading.
3. The Legacy of Michael Huddleston and ICT
Michael Huddleston, the creator of ICT Inner Circle Trading, has spent decades studying institutional market behavior and developing strategies that allow retail traders to trade like professionals. ICT’s concepts focus on price action and liquidity, helping traders recognize how the markets truly operate.
This course is built upon ICT’s foundational teachings, and every concept presented here is a direct interpretation of his work. We honor his legacy by ensuring that the core principles remain intact while presenting them in a structured, easy-to-follow format.
If you want to explore ICT’s teachings further, you can visit his official YouTube channel, where he shares free educational content.
4. Course Structure and What’s Ahead
This Essential ICT Course is divided into ten structured chapters, each focusing on a key aspect of ICT Inner Circle Trading.
Upcoming Chapters:
📖 Chapter 2: Core Concepts & ICT Terminology – Learn the essential trading terms used in ICT.
📖 Chapter 3: Market Structure & Price Action – Understand how to read the market like an institution.
📖 Chapter 4: Optimal Trade Entry Strategies – Master ICT’s precision entry techniques.
📖 Chapter 5: Risk Management & Capital Protection – Develop a rock-solid risk strategy.
📖 Chapter 6: Trading Psychology & Discipline – Train your mindset for consistent trading.
📖 Chapter 7: Real Market Examples & Chart Analysis – See ICT strategies applied in real markets.
📖 Chapter 8: Developing Your Personalized Trading Plan – Create a trading strategy that fits your style.
📖 Chapter 9: Continuous Learning & Strategy Refinement – Learn how to improve and adapt.
📖 Chapter 10: Next Steps & Additional Resources – Find out where to continue your ICT journey.
Each chapter builds upon the last, ensuring that by the end of this course, you’ll have a strong foundation in ICT trading principles.
5. Conclusion & Next Steps
You’ve now completed the introduction to ICT Inner Circle Trading, setting the stage for the deeper lessons ahead. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as Dave – No Nonsense Trader, it’s that real trading success comes from structured learning, discipline, and execution—not shortcuts.
In Chapter Two, we’ll break down ICT core concepts and trading terminology, ensuring you understand the foundation before we dive into advanced market structure and trade execution strategies.
📌 Action Steps Before Moving Forward:
✅ Bookmark this course for easy access.
✅ Join a trading journal to track your progress.
✅ Stay disciplined and follow through on each lesson.
Ready to continue? Let’s move on to Chapter Two! 🚀