Corrective Waves (A-B-C)
Overview
After a five-wave impulse, the market enters a three-wave correction labeled A-B-C. Corrective waves move against the larger trend and take many forms: zigzags (sharp A-B-C), flats (sideways A-B-C), and triangles (contracting A-B-C-D-E). Corrections are always three-wave structures (or combinations of threes). Identifying correction completion signals the next impulse wave entry.
Key Concepts
Three-wave counter-trend structure, Zigzag: sharp correction (A = impulse, B = corrective, C = impulse). Same direction as A. Flat: sideways correction (B retraces most of A, C ≈ A in length), Expanded flat: B exceeds the start of A, C exceeds the end of A. Triangle: five-wave contracting pattern (A-B-C-D-E). Complex corrections: combinations of the above.
Entry Signals
Trade the end of Wave C for a new impulse entry, Wave C completion at Fibonacci levels (1.0× A for zigzags, 1.272-1.618× A for expanded flats), Zigzag end at 0.618 retracement of the prior impulse, Triangle Wave E completion for next impulse entry
Exit Signals
Target the start of the next impulse wave (minimum Wave 1 equivalent), Stop below Wave C extreme, Time-based: if price consolidates horizontally for an extended period after Wave C, expect the triangle variant
Best Timeframes
Daily/Weekly for corrective analysis. 4H for Wave C completion entry.
Pro Tips
Corrections are harder to trade than impulse waves because of their complex, overlapping nature. Many experienced Elliott Wave traders wait for corrections to complete and then trade the next impulse wave, rather than trying to trade within the correction.
More Topics in This Category
Complex Correction Patterns
Complex corrections in Elliott Wave theory combine two or three simple corrective patterns (zigzags, flats, or triangles) connected by intervening waves labelled X. These structures — double and triple zigzags, double and triple threes — create extended sideways or slightly trending corrective phases that consume time and frustrate traders before the larger trend resumes.
Wave Degrees & Fractals
Elliott Waves are fractal — the same five-wave impulse and three-wave corrective patterns appear at every scale, from monthly charts down to tick charts. Wave degrees label these nested patterns: Grand Supercycle, Supercycle, Cycle, Primary, Intermediate, Minor, Minute, Minuette, Sub-Minuette. Understanding multi-degree analysis allows traders to see how smaller waves fit into larger structures.
Impulse Waves (1-5)
The impulse wave pattern consists of five waves in the direction of the larger trend: three motive waves (1, 3, 5) separated by two corrective waves (2, 4). This is the core structure of Elliott Wave Theory. Wave 3 is typically the longest and most powerful, never the shortest. Wave rules: Wave 2 cannot retrace beyond the start of Wave 1. Wave 4 cannot overlap with Wave 1 territory (except in diagonals).
Leading & Ending Diagonals
Diagonals are wedge-shaped Elliott Wave patterns that occur in specific positions within the wave structure. Leading diagonals appear in wave one or wave A positions and signal the beginning of a new trend. Ending diagonals appear in wave five or wave C positions and signal trend exhaustion. Both types feature overlapping sub-waves contained within converging trendlines.