A kicker pattern is similar to a gap pattern but a bit different. They are either bullish or bearish and signify a reversal. Bullish kickers start with a bearish candle, then a bullish gap up. Bearish kickers start with a bullish candle, then a bearish gap down. Kicker patterns are reversal patterns used to tell a change in a stock’s price direction. The kicker pattern is a popular pattern traders like to trade. Bullish kicker patterns, as well as bearish kicker patterns, are the most reliable reversal patterns.
Candlesticks eBook & Wallpapers
Table of Contents
What Are Kicker Patterns?
The bullish kicker has the look of gap-up patterns. Conversely, the bearish kicker looks like gap-down patterns. The kicker pattern is a reversal pattern,, which is why it differs from a gap pattern when trading stocks. Gap patterns tend to gap up or down and stay in that trend. They may look similar but they each do something different.
Kicker patterns are two candlestick patterns. The kicker pattern is characterized by a sharp reversal in price over two candlesticks. Traders can then determine who’s in control of the direction the stock will be heading.
In other words, the first candlestick should be in the direction of the trend followed by a gap. The second candlestick forms in the new direction above or below the gap.
COURSE |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESCRIPTION | Learn how to read penny stock charts, premarket preparation, target buy and sell zones, scan for stocks to trade, and get ready for live day trading action | Learn how to buy and sell options, assignment options, implement vertical spreads, and the most popular strategies, and prepare for live options trading | How to read futures charts, margin requirements, learn the COT report, indicators, and the most popular trading strategies, and prepare for live futures trading |
| INCLUDED | Daily watch lists • Trade rooms • Trading scanners • Discord • Live streaming Day Trading > | Daily watch lists • Trade rooms • Options scanners • Discord • Live streaming Options > | Futures target levels • Trade rooms • Real time teaching • Discord • Live streaming Futures > |
Change in Attitude
A kicker pattern informs you of a big change in traders’ attitudes regarding a stock. The release of news or information is usually the cause of a change in traders’ attitudes.
There are two kinds of kicker patterns: bullish kickers and bearish kickers.
Kicker Pattern Example
You can see a bullish kicker pattern on NFLX. It formed a double bottom, and the price began to reverse to the upside. There were bearish candlesticks followed by large bullish candlesticks forming the bullish kicker. As a result, some bull flag patterns formed. Note that the gap formed by the kicker was filled before continuing upwards.
Bullish kicker patterns form when a stock is in a bearish price movement. You might think that bullish kickers would form in a bullish market and that forming while bearish is an oxymoron.
Hence, it’s considered a reversal pattern. The stock gaps are in the opposite direction of the trend, which is why it’s different from a gap-up pattern.
It is a two-candlestick pattern, so you should have a bearish candlestick followed by a bullish one. It’s important to remember that the candles never overlap.
Hence the gap. It’s also how you validate the pattern.
TWTR was in a downward price movement for about 2 months before forming a bullish kicker. You can see the bearish candle followed by a bullish candle. They did not overlap confirming the validity of the pattern.
Bearish Kickers
Bearish kicker patterns are the opposite of bullish kickers. They form while the stock is in an uptrend. It informs you the bull party is over.
The stock gaps are away from the bullish trend. The bears are now in control.
The two candlesticks are also reversed. A bearish candle follows a bullish candle. Again, there should be no overlapping of the two candles. It would be best to have the gap; otherwise, the pattern is null and void.
Trading Kicker Patterns
- How to trade kicker patterns:
- Watch for bullish or bearish pattern to form.
- If bullish, take a long when price breaks above gap up candle.
- Place stop below gap candlestick.
- If bearish, take a short when price falls below gap down candle.
- Place stop above gap candlestick.
Technical Analysis
The gaps kicker patterns form key support, resistance levels, and moving average lines. In every chart posted in this article, you’ll notice that the price moves away from the moving averages.
Moving averages, such as the simple moving average, provide equilibrium to a stock. No matter how far away the price moves, it will return to those lines.
The gaps on the bullish and bearish kickers also get filled. When you draw out your support and resistance lines, you must pay close attention to them.
All traders are very aware of these levels. The gaps are filled, and a new trend could begin, or the current trend could continue.
The bearish kicker that formed on C moved far away from moving average lines. It still had the bullish candle followed by the bearish candle. Price gravitated back to the moving average lines and traded inside the support and resistance made by the kicker gap. You can see long-legged doji candlesticks form at the resistance level. Doji candlesticks are indecision candles. Resistance became support and was tested again.
Final Thoughts
Kicker patterns are two candle reversal patterns. It’s important to see what other patterns they’re apart of. This can give you a clue of the upcoming move.
It’s important to remember that nothing is 100% perfect in the stock market. Even the clearest patterns and the best set ups can break down. If you study and practice before making live trades, you’ll set yourself up to be successful.
