Bullish & Bearish Kickers
Overview
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.
Key Concepts
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.
Entry Signals
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.
Exit Signals
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.
Best Timeframes
Daily, Weekly
Pro Tips
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.
More Topics in This Category
Shooting Star
The shooting star is a bearish reversal candle with a small body near the low and a long upper shadow (at least 2× the body). It appears at the top of uptrends and signals that buyers pushed price higher but sellers took control. It is the inverted version of the hammer.
Morning & Evening Star
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.
Continuation Triangles
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.
Pin Bar Setups
Pin bars are single-candle reversal patterns with a long tail (shadow) on one side and a small body on the opposite side. The tail shows a sharp rejection of a price level. Pin bars are the most widely used price action signal among naked chart traders and work on all markets and timeframes.