Close Proximity Entry
Also: near FVG entry, proximity entry, close to entry, missed FVG entry
A Close Proximity Entry is a trade entry placed near but not exactly at a fair value gap or order block when ideal timing has already passed. When a trader identifies that price is approaching or is already at a key PD array (FVG, order block) but has not entered precisely at the level — either because the setup appeared quickly or the exact level was missed — the trader may still enter "close to" the level rather than waiting for price to return. The entry acknowledges that perfect timing was not achieved but the setup remains valid and risk is still manageable relative to the target. This is a pragmatic execution adjustment, not a degraded setup — the underlying PD array and direction thesis are unchanged.
Identification4
- The trader has identified a valid PD array (FVG or order block) at which an entry should have been taken.
- Price has already moved past the precise entry point but has not yet reached the target or invalidation level — the trade is still 'workable.'
- The current price is close to (but not at) the ideal FVG or order block range.
- The target remains far enough away relative to the current price to provide an acceptable risk/reward ratio.
Entry2
- Enter at the current price when it is 'close to' the ideal FVG or order block level, accepting a slightly wider or less favorable entry than ideal.
- Use a market order or limit order just inside the current bid/ask if price is hovering near the entry zone.
Stop1
- Same stop as for the ideal entry — below the FVG low (bullish) or above the FVG high (bearish) — not adjusted because of the proximity entry.
Target1
- Same target as for the ideal entry — the PD array or liquidity pool identified prior to entry.
Invalidation3
- Price has already reached the FVG target or is beyond the midpoint of the expected move — the opportunity has passed and a close proximity entry is too late.
- Current price is already inside the target range — the trade has no remaining potential.
- The risk from current price to the stop loss is disproportionate to the remaining move to target.
Inferred Conditions (Unvalidated)
- Close proximity entry is most relevant in fast-moving conditions or when the trader is watching the chart in real time and the setup forms quickly at the kill zone open.
- This technique implicitly accepts a slightly inferior entry price in exchange for not missing the trade entirely — the alternative is sitting out a valid setup.
- The concept was introduced in approximately Episode 29 of the 2022 mentorship when ICT discussed what to do when the FVG entry was technically missed but the setup was still active.
ICT Quotes
"entering near but not exactly at the FVG when timing is off; used when ideal FVG entry is missed"
Timeframes
Version History1 version
ICT YT - 2022 Mentorship 2022 (Episode 29 series)
"Close proximity entry: entering near but not exactly at the fair value gap when timing is off. Used when the ideal FVG entry has been missed but the setup and trade thesis remain valid and the risk/re…"
Practical execution refinement introduced in 2022 mentorship to handle real-world timing mismatches.
Notes
This is a pragmatic execution concept rather than a standalone pattern. It acknowledges that live trading does not always allow for perfect limit-order placement at an exact FVG level. The close proximity entry preserves trade participation when ideal timing is missed while maintaining the original setup's directional thesis. The key judgment is whether enough of the move remains to justify entry at a worse-than-ideal price — if the trade is near the midpoint of the expected range, the close proximity entry is likely not worth taking. Related concepts: fair-value-gap.yaml, order-block.yaml, limit-entry-technique.yaml, stop-entry-technique.yaml
Asymmetry Notes
Symmetrical: applies to both long setups (near bullish FVG) and short setups (near bearish FVG or order block). The adjustment is to the entry price only — the setup logic, stop, and target are unchanged.