Bullish Kicking
Bullish Kicking
A bearish marubozu is followed by a bullish marubozu after an upside gap, marking a sharp sentiment shift from one session to the next.
30-second summary
What does it signal?
Bullish Kicking after a decline signals a potential bullish reversal — sellers pushed price lower, but buyers took control and reversed the move.
When is it reliable?
It is more reliable near strong support, with above-average volume and a confirming green candle in the next period.
When to avoid it?
Avoid it in sideways markets and on very short time frames such as 1-minute or 5-minute charts, where noise is high and the signal has little statistical value.
Pattern in chart context
The chart shows the typical appearance of the Bullish Kicking pattern within a price action context. The highlighted area marks the pattern itself. Data is illustrative.
Market psychology — in 3 steps
The downtrend continues
Several candles print lower highs and lower lows. Sellers control the market, and sentiment remains negative.
Bullish Kicking forms
Selling pressure fades and buyers return. Price is pulled back near the starting area, creating a potential reversal setup.
Confirmation arrives
The next candle closes with a green body, ideally on high volume. Sentiment has shifted, and a new uptrend begins.
Description
Bullish Kicking is a rare but very strong bullish reversal pattern. It consists of two marubozu candles: the first is a large red candle showing seller dominance, and the second is a large green candle showing buyer dominance, with a clear gap up between them. The market has effectively rejected the prior bearish sentiment. The pattern often appears as a reaction to major news, earnings, or a macro-level shift.
Context of appearance
Bullish Kicking usually appears after news, earnings, or a macro turning point. It is extremely rare, but when it forms cleanly, it is among the strongest bullish signals.
Identification rules
- ✓ Both candles are marubozu candles, with no wick or only minimal wicks
- ✓ The gap between the two candles is at least 10% of the candle body
- ✓ High volume appears on both candles
- ✓ The pattern is valid at the end of both downtrends and uptrends
- ✓ It usually forms after news or another important market event
Trading strategy
Entry is considered after the second marubozu closes. Stop-loss goes below the lower edge of the gap between the two candles. Take-profit uses a 3:1 risk/reward target.
⚠️ For educational purposes only. Trading solely on candlestick patterns carries risk — combine them with other technical analysis tools, support/resistance levels, and risk management.
Candle anatomy
- 01 First candle: bearish marubozu — large red body with no wick
- 02 Second candle: bullish marubozu — large green body with no wick
- 03 A significant upside gap between the two candles
- 04 Trend direction matters less — the sentiment shift is dramatic
Same shape, opposite meaning
The Bullish Kicking and the Bearish Kicking look visually identical. The difference lies in context — if you mistake one for the other, you enter in the opposite direction.
Bullish Kicking
Bullish Kicking
Bearish Kicking
Bearish Kicking
💡 The lesson: the candle shape alone is never enough — always read the trend first, then the pattern.
Most common mistakes
Ignoring context
As a bullish reversal signal, Bullish Kicking makes the most sense after a decline. In a sideways market or an existing uptrend, the same pattern can carry a different meaning — check the trend first.
Entering immediately after the pattern closes
The pattern itself is not always an entry trigger. Waiting for the confirming green candle to close filters out more false signals.
Using too short a time frame
On 5-minute candles, most reversal patterns are noise. Daily and 4-hour charts tend to produce cleaner signals.
Ignoring volume
Bullish Kicking on low volume is a weak signal. Above-average volume makes the reversal more credible. Check the volume bars before drawing a conclusion.
Quick self-test
Which one is the Bullish Kicking pattern?
A reversal signal that often appears after a downtrend.
