What is the Asian Range in ICT Trading?
The Asian session (8 PM–2 AM EST) is the
Accumulation phase of the
ICT Power of 3 (AMD) model. During this window, institutional participants quietly build positions while price consolidates in a relatively tight range. The high and low formed during this session are not random — they define the
BSL and SSL pools that will be targeted during the London Kill Zone.
Marking the Asian High and Asian Low before London opens is one of the most important pre-session tasks in the
ICT Trading methodology. These levels tell you exactly where the
Judas Swing is likely to sweep, which side of the range it will target (determined by your
daily bias), and how far the subsequent Distribution move is likely to travel.
The Judas Swing — what it is and how to confirm it
The
Judas Swing is the
Manipulation phase of the AMD model. At the London Kill Zone open (2 AM EST), price breaks one side of the Asian range — appearing to start a directional move in that direction. On a
bullish bias day, price sweeps
below the Asian Low, triggering sell-stop orders held by traders who sold the range low. On a
bearish bias day, price sweeps
above the Asian High, triggering buy-stop orders.
The Judas Swing is confirmed only when a candle
closes back through the swept level — not when a wick touches it. That close is the
Change of Character (CHoCH) that signals the sweep is complete and the true Distribution phase has begun. The planner above shows the CHoCH level — the Asian extreme that a candle must close back through to confirm.
How to use this planner
During the Asian session — mark the range
At or before 2 AM EST, identify the Asian session high and the Asian session low on your chart. Enter them into the planner. These are the two levels the entire session’s setup is built around. The
Kill Zone Timer tells you exactly when the Asian session ends.
Set your daily bias
Before the London Kill Zone opens, determine whether the day is bullish or bearish from the
higher timeframe structure. This determines which side of the Asian range the Judas Swing will target — and which Distribution direction to trade.
Watch for the Judas Swing sweep
At the London Kill Zone open (2 AM EST), watch the
Judas sweep target shown in the planner. If price approaches this level and sweeps it, go on alert. Do not enter yet. Wait for the
CHoCH confirmation — a candle close back through the Asian extreme.
Enter after CHoCH — target the Distribution levels
Adjust the extension to match the instrument
The default 150% extension works well for Gold and major Forex pairs. Increase to 180–200% for higher-volatility instruments. Decrease to 100–120% for choppy sessions. Always confirm the target aligns with an existing
PD Array level — the mathematical target needs a real level to react at.
