Section 4 – Chapter 1 - Classical Chart Patterns

Section 4 – Chart Pattern Analysis
Chapter 1 – Classical Chart Patterns
Presented By :
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Agenda
Classical Chart Patterns
Price Targets
Setup, Signal, and Reward-to-Risk
Ratio
Breakout Trading Vs. Range
Bound Trading

Head and Shoulders Top Chart Pattern
Presented By :

D.webp
Key Takeaways:
1. Definition:
A Head and Shoulders Top is a bearish reversal chart pattern that signals a potential trend
reversal from bullish to bearish.
2. Structure:
o Left Shoulder: A peak followed by a decline.
o Head: A higher peak followed by another decline.
o Right Shoulder: A lower peak, similar to the left shoulder, followed by a decline.
o Neckline: A support level that connects the troughs of the left shoulder and the head.

D.webp
3. Confirmation:
The pattern is confirmed when the price breaks below the neckline.
4. Volume:
Typically, volume is highest during the formation of the head and decreases with the
right shoulder. A surge in volume upon neckline breakout adds validity.
5. Price Target:
Projected Drop = Head’s High – Neckline’s Low
This distance is subtracted from the neckline after the breakout.

D.webp

D.webp
6. Common Mistakes:
Misidentifying the pattern before confirmation.
Trading without volume confirmation.
Ignoring market conditions and false breakouts.
7. Trading Strategy:
Entry: After neckline breakout, preferably with a retest.
Stop-Loss: Above the right shoulder or the neckline (if aggressive).
Take-Profit: Use the height of the pattern subtracted from the neckline.

Cheat Sheet: Head & Shoulders Top
Aspect Details
Pattern Type Bearish Reversal
Trend Before Formation Uptrend
Left Shoulder First peak, decline follows
Head Highest peak, decline follows
Right Shoulder Lower peak, decline follows
Neckline Connects the troughs of left shoulder & head
Breakout Point Price breaks below neckline
Volume Behavior Higher in head, lower in right shoulder, high at breakout
Confirmation Neckline break with volume surge
Entry Point After neckline breakout (or retest)
Stop-Loss Placement Above right shoulder or neckline
Target Price Distance from head to neckline subtracted from breakout point
Reliability High when confirmed with volume
Mistakes to Avoid False breakouts, trading without confirmation

Head and Shoulders Bottom Chart Pattern
Presented By :

D.webp
Key Takeaways:
1. Definition:
The Head and Shoulders Bottom (also called an Inverse Head and Shoulders) is a bullish
reversal pattern that signals a potential trend change from bearish to bullish.
2. Structure:
Left Shoulder: A low followed by a minor upward move.
Head: A lower low forming the lowest point, followed by an upward move.
Right Shoulder: A higher low, similar to the left shoulder, followed by an upward move.
Neckline: A resistance level that connects the peaks between the left shoulder and head.

D.webp
3. Confirmation:
The pattern is confirmed when the price breaks above the neckline.
4. Volume:
Volume is highest during the breakout and typically lower in the right shoulder.
5. Price Target Calculation:
Projected Rise = Head’s Low to Neckline Distance
Add this distance to the breakout point for a target.

D.webp
6. Common Mistakes:
Entering before confirmation (waiting for the neckline breakout is key).
Ignoring volume confirmation.
Failing to manage risk with proper stop-loss placement.
Entry: After the neckline breakout (preferably with a retest).
Stop-Loss: Below the right shoulder or neckline (if aggressive).
Take-Profit: Measure the height from the head to the neckline and add it to the
breakout point.

D.webp

Cheat Sheet: Head & Shoulders Bottom
Aspect Details
Pattern Type Bullish Reversal
Trend Before Formation Downtrend
Left Shoulder First low, minor upward move
Head Lowest low, followed by upward move
Right Shoulder Higher low, followed by upward move
Neckline Connects the peaks of left shoulder & head
Breakout Point Price breaks above neckline
Volume Behavior Lower in right shoulder, higher at breakout
Confirmation Neckline break with volume increase
Entry Point After neckline breakout (or retest)
Stop-Loss Placement Below right shoulder or neckline
Target Price Distance from head to neckline added to breakout
Reliability High when confirmed with volume
Mistakes to Avoid Entering too early, ignoring volume confirmation

Symmetrical Triangle Chart Pattern
Presented By :

Key Takeaways:
1. Definition:
A Symmetrical Triangle is a continuation pattern that signals a period
of consolidation before the price breaks out in either direction.
2. Structure:
Two converging trendlines:
Higher lows (ascending support line).
Lower highs (descending resistance line).
Price gets squeezed into a tighter range before the breakout.

3. Breakout Direction:
The price can break out in either direction (bullish or bearish).
Volume typically increases at the breakout.
4. Confirmation:
A breakout above the resistance line suggests a bullish move.
A breakdown below the support line suggests a bearish move.
5. Price Target Calculation:
Projected Move = Height of the Triangle at its Widest Point
Add to breakout point for bullish breakouts, subtract for bearish ones.

6. Common Mistakes:
Entering before a confirmed breakout.
Ignoring volume confirmation.
Not setting a stop-loss (false breakouts can occur).
Entry: After breakout confirmation with strong volume.
Stop-Loss: Just inside the triangle (to protect against false breakouts).
Take-Profit: Measure the widest part of the triangle and project it in the
breakout direction.

Cheat Sheet: Symmetrical Triangle Pattern
Aspect Details
Pattern Type Continuation
Trend Before Formation Uptrend or Downtrend
Support Trendline Higher Lows
Resistance Trendline Lower Highs
Breakout Direction Can be bullish or bearish
Breakout Confirmation
Price moves above resistance (bullish) or below support
(bearish) with volume
Volume Behavior Decreases during formation, increases at breakout
Entry Point After breakout with confirmation
Stop-Loss Placement Inside the triangle (near breakout level)
Target Price Height of the triangle added or subtracted from breakout
Reliability High when supported by volume
Mistakes to Avoid Entering too early, ignoring false breakouts

Ascending & Descending Triangle Patterns
Presented By :

Key Takeaways
Ascending Triangle (Bullish Continuation Pattern)
Definition:
A bullish continuation pattern that forms during an uptrend, indicating potential
breakout to the upside.
Structure:
Flat resistance line (horizontal) → Multiple touches at the same level.
Rising support line (upward slope) → Higher lows forming over time
Breakout Direction:
Typically bullish, breaking above resistance with high volume.

Key Takeaways
Confirmation:
Price closes above resistance with increased volume.
Price Target Calculation:
Add this to the breakout level for a target.

Key Takeaways
Descending Triangle (Bearish Continuation Pattern)
Definition:
A bearish continuation pattern that forms during a downtrend, signaling a
potential downward breakout.
Structure:
Flat support line (horizontal) → Multiple touches at the same level.
Falling resistance line (downward slope) → Lower highs forming over time.
Breakout Direction:
Typically bearish, breaking below support with high volume.

Key Takeaways
• Confirmation:
Price closes below support with increased volume.
Subtract this from the breakdown level for a target.

Cheat Sheet: Ascending & Descending Triangle Patterns
Aspect Ascending Triangle (Bullish) Descending Triangle (Bearish)
Pattern Type Bullish Continuation Bearish Continuation
Trend Before Formation Uptrend Downtrend
Upper Trendline Horizontal (Resistance) Descending (Lower Highs)
Lower Trendline Ascending (Higher Lows) Horizontal (Support)
Breakout Direction Usually Upward Usually Downward
Price closes above resistance with
volume
Price closes below support with volume
Volume Behavior
Decreases during formation, increases
at breakout
Decreases during formation, increases
at breakdown
Entry Point After breakout confirmation After breakdown confirmation
Stop-Loss Placement Below support level Above resistance level
Target Price Calculation
Height of the triangle added to breakout
point
Height of the triangle subtracted from
breakdown point
Common Mistakes Entering before confirmation Entering before confirmation

Rectangle Top (Double & Triple Top)
Presented By :

Rectangle Top
Key Takeaways
Rectangle Top Pattern (Consolidation & Reversal)
Definition:
A Rectangle Top is a bearish continuation or reversal pattern that forms when the
price moves between parallel support and resistance levels multiple times before
breaking downward.
Structure:
Resistance Level (Flat Upper Line): Price tests this level multiple times but fails
to break through.
Support Level (Flat Lower Line): Price finds support at the same level multiple
times.

Rectangle Top (Double & Triple Top)
Key Takeaways
Breakout Direction:
A downward breakout is more likely, but sometimes it can break upwards
(bullish continuation).
Volume Behavior:
Volume decreases within the rectangle and spikes on the breakout.
Confirmation:
A break below support with strong volume confirms a bearish move.
Projected Move = Height of the Rectangle
Subtract this from the breakdown point.

Double Top (Bearish Reversal Pattern)
Key Takeaways
Definition:
A Double Top is a bearish reversal pattern that occurs after an uptrend and signals a trend
reversal to the downside.
Structure:
Two peaks at similar levels: Price tests the resistance twice but fails to break higher.
Neckline (Support Level): The lowest point between the two peaks.

Key Takeaways
Breakout Direction:
A break below the neckline confirms a bearish reversal.
Volume Behavior:
High volume at the first peak, lower at the second peak, and spike in volume on
the neckline breakdown.
Confirmation:
Projected Move = Distance from Peaks to Neckline

Double Top & Triple Top Patterns

Rectangle Top, Double & Triple Top

Triple Top (Bearish Reversal Pattern)
Key Takeaways
Definition:
A Triple Top is a stronger bearish reversal pattern, similar to the Double Top
but with three failed attempts to break resistance.
Structure:
Three peaks at similar levels: Indicates stronger resistance.
Neckline (Support Level): Connects the lows between the peaks.

Triple Top (Bearish Reversal Pattern)
Key Takeaways
Breakout Direction:
A break below the neckline confirms a bearish trend reversal.
Volume Behavior:
Volume decreases as the pattern forms, then spikes on the neckline
breakdown.
Confirmation:
Projected Move = Distance from Peaks to Neckline

Cheat Sheet - Rectangle Top, Double & Triple Top
Aspect Rectangle Top Double Top Triple Top
Pattern Type Continuation or Reversal Bearish Reversal Stronger Bearish Reversal
Trend Before Formation Uptrend or Sideways Uptrend Uptrend
Resistance Line Flat (Multiple Tests) Two Peaks at Similar Levels Three Peaks at Similar Levels
Support Line Flat (Multiple Tests)
Neckline at Low Between
Peaks
Neckline at Low Between
Peaks
Breakout Direction Usually Downward Downward Downward
Break below support with
volume
Break below neckline with
volume
Break below neckline with
volume
Volume Behavior
Decreases inside the pattern,
spikes at breakout
Higher at 1st peak, lower at
2nd, spikes at breakdown
Lower volume at each peak,
spikes at breakdown
Entry Point After support breaks After neckline breaks After neckline breaks
Stop-Loss Placement Above resistance Above second peak Above third peak
Height of the rectangle
subtracted from breakout
Distance from peaks to
neckline subtracted
Distance from peaks to
neckline subtracted
Reliability Medium to High High Very High
Mistakes to Avoid Entering before confirmation Entering before confirmation Entering before confirmation

Conclusion
1. Rectangle Top:
Can be a continuation or reversal pattern, depending on breakout direction.
Traders should wait for confirmation before entering a trade.
2. Double Top:
A strong bearish reversal pattern.
A second peak without a new high indicates loss of buying strength.
Neckline breakdown is the key confirmation.
3. Triple Top:
A stronger bearish reversal than the double top.
More failed attempts to break resistance show increasing weakness.
The neckline breakdown signals the final confirmation.
4. Common Trading Strategy:
Wait for breakout confirmation.
Set a stop-loss above recent highs to manage risk.

Flags and Pennants
Presented By :

Flag Pattern (Bullish or Bearish Continuation Pattern)
Key Takeaways
Definition:
A Flag is a continuation pattern that forms after a strong price movement (flagpole),
followed by a brief consolidation (flag), before resuming in the original direction.
Structure:
Flagpole: A sharp price movement (up or down).
Flag: A small rectangular consolidation that slopes against the prior trend.
Breakout Direction:
Bullish Flag: Breaks upward (continuation of an uptrend).
Bearish Flag: Breaks downward (continuation of a downtrend).

Key Takeaways
Volume Behavior:
High volume during the flagpole, lower volume in consolidation, then spike in
volume at breakout.
o Projected Move = Length of the Flagpole
o Add to breakout point for bullish flags, subtract for bearish flags.

Pennant Pattern (Bullish or Bearish Continuation Pattern)
Key Takeaways
Definition:
A Pennant is similar to a flag but has a triangular shape instead of a rectangle. It also
forms after a sharp price movement (flagpole), followed by consolidation in a converging
range before a breakout.
Structure:
Flagpole: A strong price movement (up or down).
Flag: A small symmetrical triangle (price moves within converging trendlines).
Breakout Direction:
Bullish Pennant: Breaks upward (continuation of an uptrend).
Bearish Pennant: Breaks downward (continuation of a downtrend).

Key Takeaways
Volume Behavior:
High volume in the flagpole, lower volume inside the pennant, then spike in
volume at breakout.
Projected Move = Height of the Flagpole
Add to breakout point for bullish pennants, subtract for bearish pennants.

Cheat Sheet :Pennant Pattern (Bullish or Bearish Continuation Pattern)
Aspect Bullish Flag Bearish Flag Bullish Pennant Bearish Pennant
Pattern Type Continuation Continuation Continuation Continuation
Trend Before Formation Uptrend Downtrend Uptrend Downtrend
Flag/Pennant Shape Rectangle Rectangle Symmetrical Triangle Symmetrical Triangle
Flag/Pennant Slope Downward Upward Sideways or Slight Slope Sideways or Slight Slope
Breakout Direction Upward Downward Upward Downward
Price closes above flag with
volume
Price closes below flag with
volume
Price closes above pennant
with volume
Price closes below pennant
with volume
Volume Behavior
High in flagpole, low in flag,
spikes at breakout
High in flagpole, low in flag,
spikes at breakdown
High in flagpole, low in
pennant, spikes at breakout
High in flagpole, low in
pennant, spikes at
breakdown
Entry Point After breakout confirmation
After breakdown
confirmation
After breakout confirmation
After breakdown
confirmation
Stop-Loss Placement Below flag support Above flag resistance Below pennant support Above pennant resistance
Flagpole height added to
breakout
Flagpole height subtracted
from breakdown
Flagpole height added to
breakout
Flagpole height subtracted
from breakdown
Reliability High High High High
Mistakes to Avoid Entering before breakout Entering before breakdown Entering before breakout Entering before breakdown

Conclusion
1. Flags & Pennants are high-probability continuation patterns that
occur after a strong price move, allowing traders to enter with trend
confirmation.
2. Volume plays a crucial role in confirmation—breakouts should
happen with high volume.
3. Flags vs. Pennants:
Flags have parallel trendlines (rectangular shape).
Pennants have converging trendlines (triangle shape).

Conclusion
4. Trade Setup:
Entry: Wait for the breakout before entering.
Stop-Loss: Place it below the flag or pennant support (bullish) or above
resistance (bearish).
Profit Target: Use the height of the flagpole to estimate the next price move.
5. Common Pitfalls:
Entering too early before the breakout is confirmed.
Ignoring volume confirmation, leading to false breakouts.
Setting an incorrect stop-loss, exposing traders to unnecessary risk.

Setup, Signal, and Reward-to-Risk Ratio in Chart Patterns
Setup (Pattern Formation & Identification)
The setup refers to the correct formation of a chart pattern before taking a trade.
Identifying a valid pattern early helps traders prepare for a potential breakout or
reversal.
Common setups include:
Continuation Patterns: Flags, Pennants, Triangles
Reversal Patterns: Head & Shoulders, Double/Triple Tops & Bottoms
Consolidation Patterns: Rectangles, Symmetrical Triangles
Key factors to analyze in setup:
Trend before the pattern (uptrend or downtrend)
Shape & structure of the pattern
Volume behavior inside the pattern
Support & resistance levels

Signal (Breakout or Breakdown Confirmation)
The signal is the event that confirms the trade entry—usually a breakout or
breakdown.
A valid signal should include:
Breakout direction: Above resistance (bullish) or below support (bearish)
Volume spike: Confirms the strength of the breakout
Candlestick confirmation: A strong close beyond the pattern boundary
Retest of breakout level: (Optional) Some patterns retest the breakout
before the full move begins

Reward-to-Risk Ratio (R:R Ratio)
Definition: The Risk-to-Reward Ratio (R:R) measures potential profit
relative to risk.
Formula: R:R= Potential Reward / Potential Risk
A minimum R:R of 2:1 is recommended, meaning the potential profit should
be at least twice the risk.

How to set R:R in chart patterns:
Entry: After breakout confirmation
Stop-Loss: Just below the breakout level (for bullish trades) or above
resistance (for bearish trades)
Target Price: Measure the height of the pattern and project it in the breakout
direction
Common R:R Ratios:
2:1 (Good) → Acceptable risk for reasonable profit
3:1 (Better) → Higher probability of success
1:1 (Risky) → Lower profitability over time

Next Chapter 2 – Candlestick Patterns in the
Real World – Part I
Section 4 – Chart Pattern Analysis
Presented By :

Section 4 – Chapter 1 - Classical Chart Patterns

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