The kicker pattern is one of the most powerful two-candle reversal signals in candlestick analysis. It forms when the second candle opens at or beyond the open of the prior candle and moves aggressively in the opposite direction, effectively 'kicking' away from the previous sentiment. Kickers often occur after overnight news events or fundamental catalysts that cause an abrupt sentiment shift.
A bullish kicker begins with a bearish candle followed by a bullish candle that opens at or above the prior candle's open. A bearish kicker begins with a bullish candle followed by a bearish candle that opens at or below the prior candle's open. The gap between the two candles' opens is the defining feature of a valid kicker. Volume should be significantly higher on the kicker candle. The pattern signals institutional-grade conviction in the new direction.
Enter immediately after the kicker candle closes with high volume. The open-to-open gap is mandatory for a valid signal. Confirm with a break of the prior candle's high (bullish) or low (bearish). Look for the pattern near major structural levels for added significance.
Stop at the midpoint of the kicker candle's body. Target a minimum of two times the kicker candle's range. Exit if the kicker gap fills within the next two sessions. Trail stops aggressively as momentum typically follows through.
Daily, Weekly
Kicker patterns are among the highest-conviction candlestick signals because they represent a complete sentiment shift in a single session. Never fade a kicker — the follow-through rate is exceptionally high. In crypto, look for kickers after major news releases or protocol upgrades that cause overnight gaps on lower-liquidity exchanges.
An inside bar is a candle completely contained within the range (high to low) of the previous candle. It represents a contraction of volatility and indecision. Inside bars are used as breakout setups — traders wait for price to break above or below the inside bar's range (or the 'mother bar' range) to enter.
The morning star is a three-candle bullish reversal: a large bearish candle, a small body candle (the star) that gaps down, and a large bullish candle that closes well into the first candle's body. The evening star is the bearish mirror. These are among the strongest candlestick reversal patterns.
Tweezers are two-candle patterns where both candles test the same high (tweezer top) or low (tweezer bottom). The first candle extends the trend and the second candle reverses. The matching highs/lows create a visual 'tweezers' shape indicating a rejection level.
While not strictly a candlestick pattern, continuation triangles (ascending, descending, symmetrical) are multi-candle patterns where price contracts between converging trendlines. Breakouts from triangles tend to continue the prior trend. Triangles are measured-move patterns — the target equals the height of the triangle projected from the breakout point.