High Kick Candle Stick Pattern: Bullish & Bearish Kicker Guide
Learn how the High Kick Candle stick Pattern works. Discover bullish & bearish kicker setups, real chart examples, trading strategies, and key formulas.
Table of Contents
The high kick candle stick pattern is a powerful indicator that indicates a sharp change in the direction of the market. It is observed when one candle is followed by another in the opposite direction with a large gap between them. Such a gap indicates that buyers or sellers have assumed complete control.
It is helpful in trading since it is easy to see when momentum is shifting. It is used by traders to detect the early indicators of new trends or powerful reversals.
It comes in two forms:
- A bullish kicker begins with a red candle. The following candle gaps up (gap up) and becomes green, indicating a high buying pressure.
- A bearish kicker starts with a green candle, then a red one, which gaps down (the downside), which indicates heavy selling.
Example:
Suppose the gold price is closed at 1920 with a red candle. The following day, it starts at $1940 with a green candle and continues to increase. This is a bullish kicker, and most traders may interpret it as a buy signal.
Analysts at Beirman Capital tend to monitor such patterns in gold, oil, and major currency pairs. Traders hope to make better decisions and minimise risk by integrating candlestick setups with market news and technical tools. Trends such as the high kick provide clear indications as to when it is most important to time the market.
High Kick vs Kicker Pattern: Are They the Same Thing?
The high kick candle stick and the kicker pattern are often confused by many traders, and it is not hard to understand why. Both patterns indicate a sharp and powerful change in market direction, and there is usually a gap between two candles. The two terms are used to describe the same fundamental price action.
It is sometimes referred to as a kicker pattern by some traders, and a high kick by others, because of the sudden increase (or decrease) in price between candles. The names can vary, but the meaning and trading signal remain the same.
Regardless of whether you refer to it as a bullish kicker, bearish kicker, or higher kick candlestick, the concept is the same: a powerful, gap-based move that indicates a clear change in market control between buyers and sellers or vice versa.
This knowledge will enable you to remain focused on the power of the pattern rather than its name.
Understanding the Bullish Kicker Candlestick Pattern
A bullish kicker candlestick pattern is a powerful indicator that usually indicates the beginning of an uptrend. It typically follows a decline or a market correction, and it indicates that the selling pressure is over and buyers are coming in with force.
This pattern is developed in two candles:
- The initial candle is a bearish (red) candle that indicates selling pressure.
- The second candle is bullish (green), opens significantly higher than the close of the first candle (gap), and keeps rising strongly.
The most significant part is the distance between the two candles. It demonstrates a total change of attitude, from negative to positive, without any reservations. The two candles have minimal or no overlap, which contributes to the strength of the signal.
This trend is commonly encountered when there is a large news release, earnings report, or economic report that alters the course of the market. It works best in the longer term, such as 4H or daily charts, where false signals are not frequent.
Traders usually add indicators, such as volume, RSI or support/resistance levels to the bullish kicker to enhance accuracy. The greater the confirmation, the stronger the signal.
In general, the bullish kicker candlestick is a straightforward but effective indicator that can assist traders in finding early entry points in a new uptrend.
Decoding the Bearish Kicker Candlestick Pattern
The bearish kicker candlestick pattern is a definite indication that the market has changed its direction to bearish. It indicates a loss of control by buyers and an indication that sellers are in control with a firm purpose.
This trend is usually created following a gradual increase in price. The initial candle indicates a normal green session. However, the following day (or session), the market opens well below the prior close, creating a gap. The second candle becomes red and plunges downwards, indicating strong selling pressure.
The price drop is not the only thing that makes the bearish kicker so powerful, but the absence of hesitation. Buyers do not resist the change; there is no struggle. This is typically an indication of new negative sentiment, like panic selling or some bad news that surprises the market.
The bearish kicker does not require confirmation; unlike many other patterns, the gap and the strong red candle are self-explanatory. But it can be made more reliable by combining with volume spikes or support breaks.
This trend can be frequently observed on asset charts such as stocks, forex pairs, and even crypto when there is a sharp reversal. It may cause powerful downward trends that extend over multiple sessions when observed on larger timeframes.
Real-World Examples of High Kick Candle sticks
Now, we should see what the high kick candle stick pattern looks like on real price charts.
Bullish Kicker Example:
Consider a stock that is declining, and at the end of the day, it is trading at 98 with a red candle. It gaps up to open the next morning at 105, a good gap up, and continues to move up with a good green candle. This sharp increase indicates that buyers have taken over. It is a typical bullish kicker, which is common following good news or earnings surprises.
Bearish Kicker Example:
So now, suppose a currency pair is in an uptrend and closes the session at 1.1200 with a green candle. The following session starts at 1.1130, which is significantly lower, and creates a powerful red candle. This down gap is an indication of a sudden shift in sentiment, which is usually triggered by bad economic news or market panic.
These patterns do not occur daily, but when they do, they may result in strong moves. They are frequently used by traders to pre-plan early entries, reversals or exits based on the trend and news surrounding the asset.
How to Trade Using the High Kick Candle stick Strategy
Entry Strategy
When you see a bullish kicker, watch the close of the green candle to rise above the gap. If the price stays above that level, it can be a good signal to go long. In a bearish kicker, the red gap-down candle is quite a strong sell. Traders can go short after the candle closes below the gap.
Stop-Loss Placement
Always put a stop-loss just below the gap (for the bullish) or just above it (for the bearish). This safeguards you in case the pattern fails and the price goes against you.
Take-Profit Targets
Set your targets with the help of recent support and resistance levels. You may also follow your stop-loss in case the price moves in your direction.
Confirm Before Trading
Do not depend on this pattern. Use it in combination with such indicators as volume, RSI, or moving averages to get more confirmation. A high-volume kicker is more dependable than a low-activity kicker.
High kick patterns provide clear signals; however, they are effective when the market is already indicating strength or weakness.
High Kick Candle stick Formula and Key Rules
The high kick candle stick pattern is not a calculation but a simple formula that is dependent on the price behaviour. It is all about reading the gap and momentum between two candles.
Bullish Kicker Formula:
- The first candle is bearish (red)
- Second candle gaps up (above the prior close)
- The second candle is bullish (green), and it keeps going up
- No intersection of the candles
Bearish Kicker Formula:
- The first candle is bullish (green)
- Second candle gaps down (below the prior close)
- The second candle is bearish (red) and declines more
- No intersection of the candles

Important Rules to Note:
- This pattern can be sought on longer timeframes (1H, 4H, daily)
- Ensure that the gap is clear and clean, other than a small wick
- Check with spike volume or news
- Never trade when the volatility is low
The high kick pattern is strong as it indicates a sudden change of mood. When identified properly and combined with other instruments, it may result in high-probability trades
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid False Kicker Signals
Mistake 1: Confusing Small Gaps with Real Kicker Patterns
Not all spaces between candles are kickers. A real high kick candle stick pattern has a powerful, clean gap with good momentum. False trades can be easily caused by small gaps or weak candles.
Mistake 2: Trading on Lower Timeframes
Kicker patterns are sought by many traders on 1-minute or 5-minute charts. These are noisy and false alarms. Apply longer periods such as 1-hour, 4-hour, or daily to be more accurate.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Market Context
A bullish kicker will not be effective in a powerful downtrend unless it is accompanied by news or volume. Never forget to look at the trend, support/resistance, and the general market conditions.
Mistake 4: Entering Too Early
It is dangerous to jump in before the second candle closes. Wait until the candle completes. This verifies the trend and lowers the possibility of a fakeout.
The way to prevent these mistakes:
- Use volume or technical tools to confirm the pattern
- It is better not to trade when there is low activity
- Do not use the kicker as the only source of information, but consider the whole picture
- An intelligent trader not only identifies patterns, but he also knows when to believe them.
Wrapping Up
High kick candle stick pattern is a strong sign, but just as with all technical indicators, it is most effective when used in conjunction with confirmation. It is not safe to rely only on it, particularly in a rough or news-based market. Other factors, such as direction of the trend, volume, and support/resistance zones, must be checked before one makes a trade.
In Beirman Capital, traders employ kicker patterns as a component of a bigger plan. They mix them with indicators and basic analysis to obtain more definite signals. This minimises false trades and timing.
In case you are still learning or need assistance in developing your strategy, you can contact us. We are always prepared to take you through actual setups and trade smarter.
The kicker is only one of the patterns that make up the complete trading picture; it is how you use them that counts
FAQs
1. What is a bullish kicker pattern?
A bullish kicker pattern is a powerful candlestick pattern in which a red candle is followed by a green candle that opens above with a gap, indicating a sudden buying pressure and a potential uptrend.
2.What is the strongest bullish pattern?
The bullish kicker is usually the strongest bullish pattern because it indicates a sudden change from selling to buying with a large price gap, indicating a strong upward momentum.
3. What is a kicking pattern?
A kicking pattern is a two-candle candlestick pattern that indicates a sharp reversal of direction in the market. It possesses a large candle spacing, which indicates a powerful buyer or seller movement.
4. What is the bearish kicker pattern?
Bearish kicker pattern is a candlestick pattern in which an up candle is followed by a down candle, which gaps down but opens lower, indicating a sudden selling pressure and a potential down trend.
5. Which is the most powerful candlestick pattern?
The Kicker pattern is regarded as one of the strongest candlestick patterns since it indicates a sharp and strong change in the direction of the market with a distinct price gap.
6. What is a bullish kicker candlestick?
A bullish kicker candlestick is a two-candle formation, which consists of a red candle and a green one with an opening gap up, indicating a powerful purchase and a potential price movement
7. What is the 3 candle rule?
The 3 candle rule implies waiting three candles to confirm a trend or reversal. It assists in minimising false alerts and provides traders with greater confidence before making a trade.
8. What is the most powerful reversal candlestick pattern?
The Kicker pattern is one of the strongest reversal candlestick patterns. It indicates a sharp change in trend with a high gap, which is an indication of a definite change in market direction.
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