What is a Breaker Block in ICT Trading?
The breaker block is one of the most useful concepts in the ICT methodology for identifying key levels that have flipped from support to resistance — or resistance to support. Understanding breaker blocks helps traders avoid re-entering failed levels and instead use those same levels as entries in the opposite direction.
What is a Breaker Block?
A breaker block is an order block that has been violated — price has traded back through it and closed beyond it, invalidating the original order block. When a bullish order block fails (price closes below it), it becomes a bearish breaker block. When a bearish order block fails (price closes above it), it becomes a bullish breaker block.
The concept is based on the idea that when an institutional order block fails, it does not simply disappear — the unfilled orders at that level now act as opposing interest when price returns to it.
How a Breaker Block Forms
Bearish Breaker Block (flipped bullish OB)
- A bullish order block forms — the last bearish candle before a strong bullish move
- Price rallies away from the OB, confirming it as support
- Price returns to the OB and closes below it — the OB has failed
- The failed bullish OB is now a bearish breaker block — it acts as resistance on the next retest
Breaker Block vs Order Block
The key difference is context and direction. An order block is an untested zone of institutional interest. A breaker block is a flipped zone where the original institutional interest has been overcome — the level has changed polarity. Trading a breaker block means trading in the direction of the flip, not the original direction.
How to Trade Breaker Blocks
The process for trading a bearish breaker block:
- Identify a bullish order block that price has closed below
- Mark the entire OB zone as the breaker block
- Wait for price to retrace back up into the breaker block zone
- Look for bearish confirmation at the zone — rejection candle, bearish FVG, negative delta on footprint
- Enter short with stop above the breaker block zone
Breaker Blocks and Prop Firm Trading
Breaker blocks are valuable for prop firm traders because they provide high conviction entries at key structural levels with well-defined stops. A stop above/below the breaker block zone is logical and tight — giving you favorable R:R while managing your trailing drawdown carefully.