How to Trade Reversal Patterns in Forex?

In the first two days, we talked about two types of of chart patterns: flag patterns and triangle patterns. Today we are going to introduce reversal patterns, one of the two general categories of chart patterns.

In this post, we will discuss the definition of reversal patterns, and different types of reversal patterns, and how to trade reversal patterns.

What Are Reversal Patterns？

They can be divided into two general categories: continuation patterns and reversal patterns.

A reversal pattern is a transitional phase that marks the turning point between a rising and a falling market. If prices have been advancing, the enthusiasm of buyers has outweighed the pessimism of sellers up to this point, and prices have risen accordingly.

During the transition phase, the balance becomes more or less even until finally, for one reason or another, it is tipped in a new direction as the relative weight of selling pushes the trend down. At the termination of a falling market, the reverse process occurs.

Reversal patterns might signal that either the bulls or bears have lost control and that there might be a change of trend imminent. The current trend will see a pause and then the price will move in a new direction from the other side (bull or bear).

What Are the Most Important Reversal Patterns？

While there are many reversal patterns to consider, we put together a list below, identifying some of the most common ones to add on your charts:

1. Head & Shoulders

Head and shoulders is considered to be one of the most reliable reversal chart patterns. True to its name, this pattern is comprised of a large peak in the middle and smaller peaks on the either sides, which looks like a head with two shoulders. The head and shoulders pattern forecasts a downward movement of the price.

As the chart above, the first and third peak will be smaller than the second, but they will all fall back to the same level of support, otherwise known as the 'neckline'. Once the third peak has fallen back to the level of support, it is likely that it will breakout into a bearish downtrend.

2. Reverse Head and Shoulders

Conversely, the reverse head and shoulders pattern appears after a bearish trend, forecasting an upward movement. While the HS signals the end of an uptrend, a HS bottom indicates that a downtrend is over and prices could be about to rise.

The pattern is identified when the price action meets the following characteristics: the price falls to a trough and then rises; the price falls below the former trough and then rises again; finally, the price falls again but not as far as the second trough.

3.Double Top

A double top is another bearish reversal pattern that traders use a lot. It has two peaks, indicating waning interest among buyers and the possibility of a downtrend. The “tops” are peaks that are formed when the price hits a certain level that can't be broken. After hitting this level, the price will bounce off it slightly, but then return back to test the level again.

In the chart above you can see that a top was formed after a strong move up and then retrace back to a level of support. It will then form a peak once more before reversing back from the prevailing trend.

4. Double Bottom

On the contrary, the double bottom pattern is bullish reversal pattern that is totally opposite of double top. This pattern has two low price valleys which predict an upward trend as buyer interest is piqued.

You can see from the chart above that after the previous downtrend, the price formed two valleys because it wasn't able to go below a certain level. Then the price broke the neckline and made a nice move up.

How to Trade Reversal Patterns？

Once any of the aforementioned conditions signal a potential turn-around, we look for a price breakout in the opposite direction.

There are different ways to trade a reversal, from revisiting a support/resistance level to waiting for a valid retest of the first breakout level and then taking a trade. A good breakout to keep in mind is the neckline breakout.

A neckline is an area of diagonal support or resistance, or a trendline if you will. This keeps prices trending for an extended period of time when not breached. In our case, we are looking for this trendline to weaken and break for a reversal to commence, hence, a valid trade.

Main rules of trading reversals:

· do not try to be the first and catch the very high or very low, although you also shouldn't enter a reversal too late when the price already ran away from the extreme point;

· follow the rules by which you trade reversals, for example, local price low, positive delta and buyers that got stuck at the bar low;

· accept loss-making trades without emotions. Reversal patterns do not always work. If you want to win back after a loss-making trade, perhaps, reversals is not your trading strategy;

· do not persist in searching for a reversal on trend days. Of course, the price would reverse sooner or later but, perhaps, it would not be today and not after the deposit expires.