We strip the chart down to raw price action and market structure first, and treat indicators as, at most, a secondary confirmation tool.
Indicators Describe the Past. Structure Shows the Present.
By the time an indicator confirms a move, structure has usually already shown it.
Institutions Don't Trade Indicators
Structure is the closest a retail trader can get to seeing institutional footprint — where liquidity sits and where price is likely to react.
Fewer Inputs, Fewer Contradictions
Stacking multiple indicators creates noise and hesitation; a structure-first approach trains a single, coherent read.
This Doesn't Mean Indicators Are Banned
Structure identifies the opportunity; an indicator, if used at all, confirms it.
Why This Matters for Prop Firm Challenges Specifically
A structure-based approach produces more repeatable, explainable setups — useful both for passing evaluations and staying funded.
What This Looks Like in Practice
- Marking swing highs, swing lows, and trend direction manually first
- Identifying breaks of structure and changes of character as primary signals
- Understanding liquidity sweeps
- Adding risk management and routine on top of the structural read
The Result We're Aiming For
A trader who can read any chart, on any instrument — not one dependent on a specific indicator setup.
Trading Forex and CFDs involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This article is educational content only and not financial advice.