Every professional trader using Smart Money Concepts must understand BOS (Break of Structure) and CHoCH (Change of Character).
These two signals help you:
- Identify trend direction
- Spot trend reversals early
- Execute accurate entries
- Avoid trading against Smart Money
1. What is BOS (Break of Structure)?
BOS means the market is continuing in the same trend.Uptrend → Higher High (HH) and Higher Low (HL)
Downtrend → Lower Low (LL) and Lower High (LH)
When price breaks the previous high in an uptrend, it creates BOS → trend continues.
Example:
HL → HH → HL → BOS (New HH) → Trend continues upward.BOS = Trend Continuation.
2. What is CHoCH (Change of Character)?
CHoCH means the market is reversing the trend.This is the first early signal that smart money is changing direction.
Example:
Uptrend → Instead of making a new HH, price breaks the previous HL → Downtrend begins.HH → HL → CHoCH (Break below HL) → Trend shifts bearish.
CHoCH = Trend Reversal Signal.
3. How to Trade BOS (Trend Continuation)
When BOS happens:- Identify main trend direction (Buy in Uptrend / Sell in Downtrend)
- Wait for pullback retracement
- Look for Order Block or FVG imbalance
- Enter with confirmation
Buy Example:
- Market makes BOS upward
- Price retraces into Bullish Order Block
- Enter Buy at confirmation candle
Sell Example:
- Market makes BOS downward
- Price retraces into Bearish Order Block
- Enter Sell on rejection candle
4. How to Trade CHoCH (Trend Reversal)
CHoCH is your first clue market is changing direction.Buy Reversal Example:
- Downtrend continues making LL & LH
- Price breaks above previous LH → CHoCH
- Market shifts to bullish
- Wait for retracement
- Enter Buy at Bullish Order Block
Sell Reversal Example:
- Uptrend continues making HH & HL
- Price breaks below HL → CHoCH
- Market shifts bearish
- Wait for retracement
- Enter Sell at Bearish Order Block
5. Timeframe Settings for Accuracy
| Step | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Identify BOS / CHoCH | H1 / M30 |
| Mark Order Block | M15 / M5 |
| Confirm Entry | M5 / M1 |
6. Confirmation Candles to Look For
| Candle Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Engulfing | Strong reversal signal |
| Pin Bar (Wick Rejection) | Zone protected by Smart Money |
| ICT Market Structure Shift | Clean trend shift |
7. Risk Management (Important)
- Risk only 1–2% per trade
- Never chase price
- Enter only after market confirms direction
- Stop Loss is mandatory
Conclusion
| Term | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| BOS | Trend continuation | Trade with existing trend |
| CHoCH | Trend reversal | Prepare for new trend direction |
This is how professionals trade. Not indicators. Not signals. Just price action + smart money logic.