Introduction ππβ¨
Market structure is the foundation of price action trading. It provides traders with a roadmap to understand how price moves and where potential trade opportunities lie. This article will cover two essential aspects of market structure: Break of Structure (BOS) and Market Cycles. Understanding these concepts will help you make informed trading decisions and navigate the markets with greater confidence. πππ
What is Market Structure? πππ
Market structure refers to the overall movement of price on a chart, consisting of higher highs (HH), higher lows (HL), lower highs (LH), and lower lows (LL). The sequence of these formations determines whether the market is in an uptrend, downtrend, or consolidation phase. πππ

Break of Structure (BOS) πππ
A Break of Structure (BOS) occurs when price violates a key level of support or resistance, signaling a potential trend reversal or continuation. πππ
Types of Break of Structure β‘ππ
- Bullish BOS: When price breaks above a previous swing high, indicating a shift to an uptrend. ππβ¨
- Bearish BOS: When price breaks below a previous swing low, indicating a shift to a downtrend. ππ»β οΈ

How to Use BOS in Trading π‘ππ
- Confirm Trend Direction: A BOS can validate whether the current trend is continuing or reversing. πππ
- Identify Trade Entries: Traders often enter trades after a BOS, waiting for a pullback to retest the broken level. π―πβ‘
- Set Stop-Loss and Take-Profit Levels: A BOS provides key levels for effective risk management. ππ°π
Market Cycles πππ
The market moves in repetitive cycles consisting of four main phases: πππ
- Accumulation Phase: Price moves sideways after a prolonged downtrend as institutions accumulate positions. π¦ππ
- Markup Phase (Uptrend): Price starts forming higher highs and higher lows, confirming a bullish trend. πππ
- Distribution Phase: The market reaches a peak and consolidates as smart money exits positions. πβ οΈπ
- Markdown Phase (Downtrend): Price starts forming lower highs and lower lows, confirming a bearish trend. ππ»π
Practical Application of Market Structure π ππ‘
- Trend Trading: Enter trades in the direction of the prevailing trend based on BOS and market cycle identification. πππ°
- Reversal Trading: Identify potential reversals when BOS occurs against the previous trend and aligns with a new market cycle phase. ππβ‘
- Risk Management: Using market structure levels for stop-loss placement ensures a controlled risk-reward ratio. πππ°
Conclusion πππ
Understanding market structure, including Break of Structure (BOS) and Market Cycles, is crucial for traders aiming to interpret price movements effectively. By incorporating these concepts into your trading strategy, you can make well-informed decisions, identify high-probability setups, and manage risk efficiently. Always use historical price action and real-time confirmations to enhance your trading edge. πππ
Key Takeaways: β πβ¨
β Market structure defines the overall price movement. πππ β Break of Structure (BOS) signals trend continuation or reversal. πβ‘π β Market cycles consist of accumulation, markup, distribution, and markdown phases. πππ β Practical applications include trend trading, reversal trading, and risk management. π ππ°
By leveraging these insights, you can refine your trading strategy and improve your overall profitability. πππ
Happy Trading! π―ππ₯
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