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ICT Propulsion Block — Complete Guide

The ICT propulsion block explained — the continuation block within an ongoing AMD distribution. The three-stage formation, bullish vs bearish propulsion blocks, the 5-block taxonomy, the OB vs propulsion distinction, and the 5-step trading process.

An order block initiates a directional move. A breaker block is a failed order block that transformed. A propulsion block does something different from both: it continues an already-established directional move. Found within ongoing AMD distribution sequences, a propulsion block is the last opposing candle before a new displacement leg — the level from which institutional delivery resumes after a retracement. For traders who missed the initial OB entry, the propulsion block is the re-entry mechanism that keeps them inside the AMD distribution.

Key takeaways

The propulsion block is the last opposing candle before a CONTINUATION displacement within an active AMD Phase 3 distribution.
Context requirement: a confirmed distribution must already be underway — at least one completed displacement leg from the initiating OB.
Validated retroactively: the subsequent displacement confirms which pullback candle was the propulsion block.
Lower risk than the OB entry (AMD direction confirmed by prior legs) but a smaller, defined profit window.
Adjust targets progressively: each successive propulsion block has less remaining distance to the AMD target.

What is an ICT propulsion block?

Definition

An ICT propulsion block is the last opposing-direction candle within an ongoing AMD Phase 3 distribution, immediately before a continuation displacement leg resumes in the distribution direction. It marks the retracement low (bullish) or high (bearish) from which the next delivery leg launches. When price retraces back to the zone, it acts as support (bullish) or resistance (bearish) — propelling the distribution forward toward its next target.

How a propulsion block forms — three stages

PROPULSION BLOCKBULLISH

Three stages, one confirmation. Stage 1: the AMD distribution is already underway with the OB and first displacement leg complete. Stage 2: a pullback retracement produces several opposing candles. Stage 3: the last opposing candle is followed by a new displacement in the original direction — confirming it retroactively as the propulsion block. The zone is now the re-entry point for the next retest.

Bullish vs bearish propulsion block

Bullish propulsion block — continuation support

Last BEARISH candle before next bullish displacement within bullish delivery

Marks the retracement low. Enter LONG on retest. Stop below the propulsion block low. Target: next AMD delivery level or BSL above. AMD phase: Phase 3 interior (mid-distribution).

Bearish propulsion block — continuation resistance

Last BULLISH candle before next bearish displacement within bearish delivery

Marks the retracement high. Enter SHORT on retest. Stop above the propulsion block high. Target: next AMD delivery level or SSL below. AMD phase: Phase 3 interior (mid-distribution).

Propulsion block vs order block — continuation vs initiation

Same identification rule, different position in the distribution
Attribute	Order block	Propulsion block
Position in distribution	START — initiates the first displacement	INTERIOR — continues an existing delivery
Formation trigger	Last opposing candle before FIRST displacement	Last opposing candle before SUBSEQUENT displacement
AMD phase	Phase 2/3 boundary	Phase 3 interior (mid-distribution)
Profit potential	Maximum — full move to AMD target	Reduced — remaining distance to target
Entry risk	Higher — AMD direction not yet confirmed	Lower — AMD confirmed by prior legs
Priority ranking	Highest	Medium-high

Propulsion block vs breaker block — the diagnostic

A breaker block forms when an OB is fully mitigated — the zone transforms to the opposite direction. A propulsion block forms within an uninterrupted distribution — no OB was violated. The diagnostic question: was any OB in the sequence fully violated (price closed beyond the far boundary)? If yes → breaker block (opposite direction). If no → propulsion block (same direction, distribution intact). If partially entered → mitigation block (same direction, reduced backing).

The complete 5-block ICT taxonomy

5 BLOCK TYPESICT

Five block types, five roles. The OB initiates. The breaker transforms. The propulsion block continues. The rejection block absorbs. The mitigation block reduces. Each is validated by displacement. Each produces a reaction on retest. The propulsion block sits at medium-high priority — below the OB and breaker in standalone ranking but equal or above in practical utility for confirmed distributions.

Propulsion blocks in the AMD distribution

A typical distribution from initiating OB to AMD target contains 1–4 propulsion blocks along the delivery path. Each marks the last opposing candle before a new displacement leg. They are the re-entry points for traders who missed the initial OB, or for position additions by traders already in from the OB. The first propulsion block offers the best remaining RR. Each successive one offers progressively less distance to the target — adjust targets downward accordingly.

How to trade from a propulsion block — five steps

Confirm an AMD distribution is underway

At least one completed displacement leg from the initiating OB must exist. The AMD direction must be confirmed by market structure, kill zone timing, and prior displacement. Without this context, no propulsion block exists.

Identify the pullback retracement candles

After the completed displacement leg, watch for 3–5 opposing candles pulling back against the distribution direction. This is the institutional re-accumulation (bullish) or re-distribution (bearish) phase.

Wait for the confirming displacement

The propulsion block is confirmed ONLY when the next displacement candle in the distribution direction fires. Until then, the pullback candles are just retracement candles. The displacement validates which candle was the last opposing one — the propulsion block.

Mark the zone and wait for the retest

Mark the propulsion block’s body range as the zone. Wait for price to retrace back into the zone. Enter on LTF CHoCH within the zone, or at the propulsion block CE.

Enter with adjusted target

Stop: beyond the propulsion block extreme wick. Target: the next AMD delivery level — NOT the full AMD target from the OB. Each successive propulsion block has less remaining distance. Adjust targets progressively downward.

Five common propulsion block mistakes

Identifying propulsion blocks without a confirmed distribution

The propulsion block can only exist within an active AMD Phase 3 distribution. Without a prior OB entry and at least one completed displacement leg, no propulsion block context exists — the pullback candle is just a candle in a pullback.

Marking the zone before the confirming displacement

Every propulsion block is confirmed retroactively by the displacement that follows it. Marking a pullback candle as a propulsion block before the continuation displacement fires is premature — the pullback may extend further or reverse entirely.

Confusing propulsion blocks with OBs in a new distribution

If the pullback retraces so deeply that it breaks the initiating OB’s structure (a CHoCH against the distribution direction), the distribution may have ended. The subsequent candle that displaces in the original direction may be an OB for a NEW distribution, not a propulsion block for the old one.

Using the full AMD target for successive propulsion block entries

A propulsion block entry occurs mid-distribution — some profit potential is already consumed. The first propulsion block may reasonably target the full AMD objective. The second or third has less remaining distance. Adjust targets downward for each successive entry.

Confusing propulsion blocks with breaker blocks when an OB was violated

If an OB was fully violated (close beyond far boundary) → breaker block (opposite direction). If partially entered → mitigation block (same direction, reduced). If no OB was violated and the distribution is intact → propulsion block (same direction, continuation).

FAQ — ICT propulsion block

What is an ICT propulsion block? +

The last opposing candle before a continuation displacement within an active AMD Phase 3 distribution. It propels an established move forward from mid-distribution. Unlike an OB (initiation) or breaker (transformation), the propulsion block is a continuation mechanism.

How does it differ from an order block? +

Position. The OB initiates the FIRST displacement. The propulsion block appears within an ONGOING distribution before a SUBSEQUENT displacement. OB = higher risk + higher profit. Propulsion = lower risk (AMD confirmed) + smaller, defined profit window.

How does it differ from a breaker block? +

A breaker is a fully mitigated OB trading in the OPPOSITE direction. A propulsion block is within an INTACT distribution, SAME direction. Diagnostic: OB violated → breaker. Distribution intact → propulsion.

What are all five ICT block types? +

(1) Order block — initiating, highest. (2) Breaker — transformed, high. (3) Propulsion — continuation, medium-high. (4) Rejection — wick absorption, medium. (5) Mitigation — partial OB, medium-low.

Conclusion — the propulsion block is the distribution’s re-entry

The propulsion block completes the ICT entry model for AMD distribution trades. The OB provides the initiating entry. The propulsion block provides the re-entry opportunities within the distribution — continuation entries at progressively higher (bullish) or lower (bearish) levels for traders who missed the OB, or for position additions when the AMD direction is confirmed by multiple consecutive delivery legs.

Three principles: never attempt a propulsion block entry without a confirmed distribution already underway; always wait for the confirming displacement before marking the zone; and adjust targets progressively for each successive propulsion block to reflect the diminishing distance to the AMD target.

The companion guides: the OB guide covers the initiating block; the breaker block guide covers the transformation block; the mitigation block guide covers the partially-consumed state; and the AMD guide covers the distribution framework. Or join the mentorship for structured guidance through the complete block-type framework.

Lio

Founder & ICT trading educator, LiquiditySweeps.com

Lio has traded ICT and Smart Money Concepts on forex majors and US indices since 2021 and built LiquiditySweeps.com to teach the framework the way it should be learned: in sequence, on real charts, with free live tools instead of paid indicators. Every article on this site follows the same rule — nothing gets published that wouldn’t survive a trade review.

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Quick check

You see a bearish candle within a confirmed bullish AMD distribution, followed by a new bullish displacement. No OBs were violated. What is the bearish candle?

✓ Correct. The distribution is intact (no OBs violated), so this is not a breaker (which requires a violated OB) or a mitigation block (partially consumed). It is the last opposing candle before a continuation displacement within a confirmed AMD distribution — a bullish propulsion block. Re-entry on the retest.