Order Blocks Explained: The Secret Strategy of Pro Traders

In today’s article, I’m going to teach you how to identify and trade order blocks.

Order blocks are high probability supply and demand zones created when the banks split a single large trading position into many smaller positions. They provide low risk/high reward reversal entries and make a great side setup alongside a main strategy.

Sound interesting?

Without further ado, let’s crack on with the guide…

What Are Order Blocks: An In-Depth Analysis

Before we start… here’s a quick primer on what order blocks are and the mechanics of why they form in the market.

It’ll be quick, I promise.

So, what are order blocks?

Think of them as price zones created when smart money place a huge trade using something called a “block order” (more about those later!). These zones are magnets for price reversals – they’re the spots where the market is most likely to change direction.

Want to see what they look like?

Seen these before?

Looks like a demand zone, right?

That’s because orders blocks ARE supply and demand zones— just a much rarer type.

Order blocks come in two varieties:

We have…

Bullish order blocks – these act as demand zones. And…

Bearish order blocks – these act as supply zones.

Order Blocks Vs Supply And Demand: What’s The Difference?

From the above, it’s easy to assume order blocks and supply and demand one and the same – a new twist on an old formula, if you will.

But you’d be wrong…

Order blocks and supply and demand zones appear similar, but the reason they form and what they represent in the market are NOT the same.

So what’s the reason then?

Well, let’s find out…

Order Blocks Form Due To Block Orders

Buying and selling in forex usually means using a limit order or market order. But another order type exists that only smart money (banks/hedge funds) can use: block orders.

Block orders break a single large trading position into smaller, digestible pieces. Rather than execute a single huge order, causing major slippage, block orders enter multiple small positions at similar prices across a small price range.

What’s the main benefit?

In short: The block order replicates placing a single large trade without causing slippage albeit at similar prices.

Clever, huh?

But wait, why is this important for the banks?

The banks hold many advantages over us retail traders. However, one key weakness in their operation: Liquidity – or lack thereof.

The banks usually lack the required liquidity (buyers or sellers) to enter their positions without incurring slippage – i.e., without pushing price against themselves. That’s a big problem, as you’d expect. So how do the banks solve low liquidity?

That’s right – Block orders!

Because the block order splits the position into smaller chunks, the banks require less buyers or sellers to enter. They can low liquidity and avoiding slippage.

Make sense now?

Order Block Strategy: How To Find, Draw, And Trade Order Block Zones

Here’s the truth:

Finding, drawing, and trading order blocks proves no different supply and demand zones.

1. 1) Find the order block.
2. 2) Identify the upper and lower boundries.
3. 3) Mark the zone between the boundries.

Let’s jump in…

Finding & Drawing Order Blocks (My Strategy)

Order blocks share many similarities with supply and demand zones, but differ in two main ways: 

Location

the shape and structure they create upon formation.

Shape and structure, what does that mean?

Let me explain…

Block orders split a single large trading position into smaller, bite sized pieces. These smaller positions then execute at similar prices. The idea being to replicate a single large order using many smaller orders instead.

What does that look like on a price chart?

A narrow range consolidation with similar priced highs and lows.

See for yourself…

This bullish order block’s highs and lows all form at similar prices. That’s the block order! Each low represents a tiny position executed by the order.

Keep in mind: ALL order blocks follow the same structure above.

Look for a small consolidation with similar priced highs and lows. Some zones highs/lows won’t always line up, but the general appearance will remain the same; a tight, almost rectangle shaped consolidation.

SO: To identify order blocks…

1. Look for a narrow range consolidation.
2. Check the highs and lows form at similar prices.
3. See if price has a strong move away from the zone.

Here’s another one…

Same structure, different example.

The order block develops from a tight consolidation with evenly priced highs and lows.

Simple, when you know how.

From Beginner to Pro: The Simplest Way to Draw Order Blocks

Next up: Drawing order blocks.

Drawing order blocks requires covering two key points where the banks could enter any remaining positions when price returns.

What are those two points, you ask?

For bullish order blocks…

From lowest low to the highest high, cover the block. That’ll contain any points the bank decides to place more positions in the future.

For bearish order blocks…

Again, cover the whole block, but this time: from the highest high down to the lowest low.

Order Block Entry Confirmation: 3 Simple Signals To Watch For

Now you’ve learned how to identify order blocks and draw them according to the correct rules.

Great, what’s next?

Order block entry strategies.

Read on…

#1: Pin Bar Entry

We all know the pin bar, right?

You know, the spiky candle with the long wick?

Pin bars make great entry signals for order blocks because of why they form: from the banks buying or selling behind the scenes.

They’re saying…

“Hey, we’re buying now. Hop in quick!”

The pin indicates the banks might be entering their left-over positions, which means price could be about to reverse from the zone.

Here’s a quick example…

Look at the order block above… see the bullish pin bar?

That’s our entry signal – the pin shows the banks bought up the current sellers. Why would the banks be buying inside the order block? Oh, yeh…

To make price reverse, DUH!

Later that day…

We see price reverse and a significant new down move begin.

Simple, huh?

#2: Engulfing Pattern Entry

You’re probably wondering:

Why use engulfing patterns when we have pin bars?

Because two’s better than one, right?

I’m kidding… the real reason?

Because: Engulfing Patterns appear more often than pin bars. Yeh, it’s that simple. Pin bars offer solid entries, but only form occasionally. Engulfing patterns mitigate this problem – the patterns initiate the move away, so usually form before price reverses.

What makes engulfs suitable signals?

Same reason as pins – the banks!

Engulfing patterns ONLY form when banks buy or sell in large amounts.

So, they indicate the banks want price to reverse from the order block.

Example…

After entering the order block above, a large bearish engulfing pattern forms. Time for us to get in! The engulf confirms the banks sold a large amount of EUR/USD – a strong sign price could now reverse.

And, as we can see…

Price reverses, confirming the banks sold to create the bearish engulf.

#3: Other Entry Signals

Pin bars and engulfing patterns – neat entry signals, huh? But wait, there’s one more way we can enter order blocks…

Using limit orders – i.e the set and forget method.

Set and forget, isn’t that a S&D strategy?

You bet it is! Set and forget uses limit orders to enter the order block ahead of time. Rather than wait for a pattern, your order executes automatically.

Sweet, right?

But wait, here’s the problem…

Set and forget guarantees entry into the order block…. but provides NO confirmation price will reverse – a HUGE problem. Order blocks can fail, as you’d expect. Price will sometimes break a zone without showing any signs of reversing.

With set and forget, that means a losing trade.

See for yourself….

Price SMASHES this order block with barely a hint of stopping – bye bye short trade. Using set and forget meant losing this trade, but with price action, no entry signal appeared.

That’s why confirmation is so important for these trades.

See what I mean now?

My take: Stick to using PA patterns to enter order blocks.

YES, set and forget can offer low-risk, high-reward entries. But compared to price action, the lack of confirmation kills its bottom line. Do yourself a favour… stick to price action. It’s safter, more profitable, and only requires minimal screen time.

A small price to pay for better trades.

Summary

Order blocks – not bad, eh?

Order blocks make an excellent setup for piggybacking the banks into reversal trades. Use them alone or as part of a larger strategy. For me, I like to combine order blocks with supply and demand zones.

• For day-to-day trades, I use supply and demand zones.
• For high probability setups, I use order blocks.

That gives me a nice balance between frequent trades and high probability setups – a winning combo!

Give order blocks a whirl; see if they integrate with your own strategy.