How to Spot Head & Shoulders Patterns in TradingViewDiscover how to identify and validate Head & Shoulders patterns using TradingView's built-in pattern recognition tools in this detailed tutorial from Optimus Futures. Chart patterns are essential tools for many futures traders, and the Head & Shoulders formation is among the most recognized reversal patterns in technical analysis.
What You'll Learn:
• Understanding the Head & Shoulders pattern: a key reversal formation in technical analysis
• How to access and use TradingView's pattern drawing tools and objects
• Step-by-step process for identifying potential Head & Shoulders formations on any timeframe
• Techniques for spotting the "head" by locating the highest high or lowest low pivot points
• How to identify matching "shoulders" on either side of the head formation
• Validating your pattern identification using TradingView's drawing tools
• Real-world example using crude oil futures on an hourly chart from October 2024
• Key characteristics that distinguish bearish Head & Shoulders reversal patterns
• Best practices for using pivot points and swing analysis in pattern recognition
This tutorial may benefit futures traders, swing traders, and technical analysts who want to improve their chart pattern recognition skills in TradingView. The techniques demonstrated could help you identify potential reversal opportunities and make more informed trading decisions when these classic formations appear on your charts.
Keywords: Head and Shoulders pattern, TradingView tutorial, chart patterns, technical analysis, reversal patterns, futures trading, pivot points, swing analysis, pattern recognition, trading education
Visit Optimus Futures to learn more about trading futures with TradingView:
optimusfutures.com
Disclaimer:
There is a substantial risk of loss in futures trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please trade only with risk capital. We are not responsible for any third-party links, comments, or content shared on TradingView. Any opinions, links, or messages posted by users on TradingView do not represent our views or recommendations. Please exercise your own judgment and due diligence when engaging with any external content or user commentary.
This video represents the opinion of Optimus Futures and is intended for educational purposes only. Chart interpretations are presented solely to illustrate objective technical concepts and should not be viewed as predictive of future market behavior. In our opinion, charts are analytical tools—not forecasting instruments. Market conditions are constantly evolving, and all trading decisions should be made independently, with careful consideration of individual risk tolerance and financial objectives.
Headandshouldersformation
Head and Shoulders Pattern: Advanced Analysis for Beginners█ Head and Shoulders Pattern: Advanced Analysis for Beginners
The Head and Shoulders pattern is one of the most widely recognized and reliable patterns in technical analysis. And today, I am going to teach you how to use it as efficiently as an experienced trader would.
Learning to spot and trade this pattern can be a great asset in your tool belt —whether you’re trading stocks, forex, or cryptocurrencies.
The Head and Shoulders is a well-known reversal pattern in technical analysis that signals a potential trend change.
⚪ It consists of three peaks:
The Left Shoulder: A peak followed by a decline.
The Head: A higher peak formed after the left shoulder, followed by a decline.
The Right Shoulder: A smaller peak resembling the left shoulder, followed by another decline.
When these peaks form in a specific order and the price breaks below the neckline (the line connecting the two troughs between the shoulders), it indicates a bearish reversal from an uptrend to a downtrend.
█ What about Bullish reversals? Don’t worry — there's good news!
Conversely, the Inverse Head and Shoulders pattern forms at the bottom of a downtrend and signals a potential reversal to the upside. By recognizing the pattern early, you can position yourself for a high-probability trade with a clear entry and exit strategy.
█ How to Identify a Head and Shoulders Pattern?
I truly believe the best way to learn any trading strategy is to keep it simple, away from the “technical” jargon unless absolutely necessary. We’ll do the same with this strategy.
Despite its varied usage, you can break it down into four simple steps:
1. Look for the Left Shoulder
The first part of the pattern forms when the price rises , creating a peak. Then, it declines back down to form the trough . This creates the Left Shoulder of the pattern.
Example: If the price of Bitcoin (BTC) rises from $85,000 to $90,000, and then declines to $87,500. This is your Left Shoulder.
2. Spot the Head
The second part of the pattern is the Head . After the Left Shoulder, the price rises again , but this time, it forms a higher peak than the Left Shoulder. The price then declines again, creating a second trough .
Example: Continuing with Bitcoin, after the price dropped to $87,500, it rises to a new high of $95,000 before dropping back to around $90,000. This $95,000 peak is the Head, which is higher than the Left Shoulder.
3. Find the Right Shoulder
After the decline from the Head, the price rises again, but this time, the peak should be smaller than the Head, forming the Right Shoulder . The price then starts declining again, and this is where the neckline is formed (connecting the two troughs).
Example: Bitcoin then rises from $90,000 to $92,000 (lower than the $95,000 peak). This forms the Right Shoulder, and the price starts to decline from there.
4. Draw the Neckline
The neckline is drawn by connecting the lows (troughs) between the Left Shoulder and the Head, and between the Head and the Right Shoulder. This is your key reference level.
█ How to Trade the Head and Shoulders Pattern
Once you've spotted the Head and Shoulders pattern on your chart, it’s time to trade it. And yes, it did need a separate section of its own. This is where most amateur traders mess up - the finish line.
1. Wait for the Neckline Breakout
The most crucial part of the Head and Shoulders pattern is the neckline breakout . This is when the price breaks below the neckline, signaling the start of the trend reversal.
Example: After the price rises to form the Right Shoulder at $92,000, Bitcoin then drops below the neckline (around $90,000). This is the confirmation that the pattern is complete. The price of BTCUSD is likely to continue downward past the 90k mark.
2. Enter the Trade
Once the price breaks below the neckline, enter a short position (for a bearish Head and Shoulders pattern). This is your signal that the market is reversing from an uptrend to a downtrend.
3. Set Your Stop Loss
Your stop loss should be placed just above the right shoulder for a bearish Head and Shoulders pattern . This makes sure you are protected in case the pattern fails and the price reverses back upward.
Example: Place your stop loss at around $93,000 (just above the Right Shoulder at $92,000) on BTCUSD.
You can also try one of these strategies I have used in the past:
⚪ Conservative Stop: Place the stop above the head (for bearish H&S) or below the head (for bullish iH&S) for maximum safety.
⚪ Aggressive Stop: Place the stop above the right shoulder (for bearish H&S) or below the right shoulder (for bullish iH&S) to reduce your stop size.
⚪ Neckline Reclaim Invalidation: Exit the trade if the price reclaims the neckline after breaking it. This could be an indication of a false positive/invalid pattern.
4. Set Your Profit Target
To calculate your profit target, measure the distance from the top of the Head to the neckline and project that distance downward from the breakout point.
Example: The distance from the Head at $95,000 to the neckline at $90,000 is $5,000. So, after the price breaks the neckline, project that $5,000 downward from the breakout point ($89,800), which gives you a target of $84,800.
5. Monitor the Trade
We’re in the home stretch now, people. This is the 9th inning.
There’s only one job left: keeping an eye on any retests or contrarian moves.
As the price moves in your favor, you can scale out or move your stop loss to break even to lock in profits.
█ What makes H&S strategy an all-time classic?
It’s simple. It works.
This pattern works because it reflects a shift in market sentiment:
In a Head and Shoulders pattern , the uptrend slows down as the market struggles to make new highs, and then the price ultimately breaks down, signaling that the bulls have lost control.
In an Inverse Head and Shoulders pattern , the downtrend weakens as the market fails to make new lows, and the price breaks upwards, signaling a bullish reversal.
⚪ Here are a few points to remember as a cheatsheet for Head and Shoulders patterns:
Wait for the neckline breakout to confirm the pattern.
Set a stop loss above the right shoulder for protection.
Project the price target using the height of the head for a realistic profit goal.
Always monitor the trade for any signs of reversal or false breakouts.
Mastering this pattern can be a game-changer for any trader, but like any tool, it’s only effective when combined with other indicators, strategies, and a solid risk management plan.
-----------------
Disclaimer
The content provided in my scripts, indicators, ideas, algorithms, and systems is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or a solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments. I will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on such information.
All investments involve risk, and the past performance of a security, industry, sector, market, financial product, trading strategy, backtest, or individual's trading does not guarantee future results or returns. Investors are fully responsible for any investment decisions they make. Such decisions should be based solely on an evaluation of their financial circumstances, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.
Inverse Head & Shoulder Tutorial An inverse head and shoulders pattern is the opposite of the head and shoulders pattern and signals a potential bullish reversal from a downtrend to an uptrend. Here's a breakdown of its key components:
Left Shoulder: The price falls to a trough and then rises back to a resistance level.
Head: The price falls again to a lower trough and then rises back to the same resistance level.
Right Shoulder: The price falls again but only to the level of the first trough, then rises once more.
The pattern gets its name because it resembles an upside-down head with shoulders on either side. The neckline is the resistance level connecting the highest points of each peak.
Types of Inverse Head and Shoulders Patterns
Inverse Head and Shoulders Bottom: This pattern signals a potential reversal from a bearish trend to a bullish trend.
How to Trade It
Breakout Confirmation: The pattern is confirmed when the price breaks above the neckline in an inverse head and shoulders bottom.
Entry Point: Traders often enter a long position when the neckline is broken in an inverse head and shoulders bottom.
How to Plot Head & Shoulders Pattern on TradingViewWelcome back, Traders!
We’re excited to have you here on TradingView where we share valuable trading insights and educational posts to help you succeed in the markets. Today, we’re diving into one of the most reliable chart patterns in technical analysis: the Head and Shoulders pattern. Understanding and identifying this pattern can significantly improve your trading strategy, whether you’re dealing with forex, stocks, or commodities.
What is the Head and Shoulders Pattern?
The Head and Shoulders pattern is a bearish reversal pattern that indicates a potential end to an uptrend and the beginning of a downtrend. It consists of three peaks:
Left Shoulder: The first peak followed by a decline.
Head: The highest peak followed by a decline.
Right Shoulder: A peak similar in height to the left shoulder, followed by a decline.
The neckline is the support line that connects the lows after the left shoulder and the head.
How to Trade the Head and Shoulders Pattern:
Identify the Pattern: Look for the three distinct peaks with the head being the highest.
Draw the Neckline: Connect the lows after the left shoulder and the head to form the neckline.
Entry Point: Enter a short position when the price breaks below the neckline.
Target: Measure the distance from the head to the neckline and subtract this distance from the breakout point to set your target.
Stop Loss: Place a stop loss above the right shoulder to manage your risk.
Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern
Conversely, the Inverse Head and Shoulders is a bullish reversal pattern signaling the end of a downtrend and the start of an uptrend. It consists of three troughs:
Left Shoulder: The first trough followed by a rise.
Head: The lowest trough followed by a rise.
Right Shoulder: A trough similar in depth to the left shoulder, followed by a rise.
The neckline is the resistance line connecting the highs after the left shoulder and the head.
How to Trade the Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern:
Identify the Pattern: Look for the three distinct troughs with the head being the lowest.
Draw the Neckline: Connect the highs after the left shoulder and the head to form the neckline.
Entry Point: Enter a long position when the price breaks above the neckline.
Target: Measure the distance from the head to the neckline and add this distance to the breakout point to set your target.
Stop Loss: Place a stop loss below the right shoulder to manage your risk.
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Stay tuned as we continue to share insights that will help you on your trading journey. Happy trading! - BK Trading Academy
Trading with Head and Shoulders patternUsually the head and shoulders pattern perform at the end of channel up as a sign of a reversal trend.
In this chart, we can see channel already broken on October 23, but the right shoulder has not fully performed yet.
To trade with this pattern, we have a several conditions :
1. Wait for right shoulder to completely perform to touch neckline at 1.0530. As long as right shoulder not higher than head , this pattern is still valid.
2. After we have a perfect right shoulder, we need one candle full to break down the neckline as bearish confirmation .
3. Usually broken neckline will bounce at previous support to retest neckline . This is the right moment to enter short position
4. Best stop loss position is above right shoulder, as long as the risk reward ratio is still above 2
5. Head to neckline are equal to neckline to target (AB=CD). So in this sample we have 1.0361 as profit projection
note : consider this pattern as failure , If step 1 to step 3 failed to perform
How to Head and ShouldersGreetings, Financial Enthusiasts! 🌟 If you appreciate our charts, give us a quick 💜💜
The Head and Shoulders pattern is a well-known chart formation in technical analysis. It indicates a reversal from a bullish to a bearish trend, usually at the end of an upward trend.
Key Points:
- Head and Shoulders: Chart pattern signaling trend reversal.
- Formation: Three peaks on a baseline - two lower outer peaks and a higher middle peak.
- Bullish to Bearish: Suggests a shift from an upward trend to a downward one.
- Applicability: Seen on all timeframes, suitable for various traders and investors.
- Entry Levels: Easily identifiable, aiding in trade implementation.
Why It Matters:
The Head and Shoulders pattern provides traders with a visual representation of a trend reversal. It's widely used due to its simplicity and applicability across different timeframes.
The Pattern:
- Formation (Market Tops):
1. Left Shoulder: Price rises, forms a peak, then falls.
2. Head: Price rises again, forming a higher peak.
3. Right Shoulder: Price falls again, then rises but forms a lower peak than the head.
- Formation (Market Bottoms):
1. Left Shoulder: Price falls, forms a trough, then rises.
2. Head: Price falls again, forming a lower trough.
3. Right Shoulder: Price rises again, then falls, forming a higher trough than the head.
Neckline:
- For Market Tops: Connect the low after the left shoulder to the low following the head to create the neckline.
- For Market Bottoms: Connect the high after the left shoulder to the high after the head to form the neckline.
Trading the Pattern:
- Wait for the pattern to complete before trading.
- Entry when price breaks below the neckline (tops) or above it (bottoms).
- Stops placed above the right shoulder (tops) or below it (bottoms).
- Profit targets calculated based on the head-to-shoulder difference and added (bottoms) or subtracted (tops) from the breakout level.
Why It Works:
- Sellers enter as price falls from its peak, reducing aggressive buying.
- The neckline marks a point where traders exit positions, driving price toward the target.
- A lower right shoulder (tops) or higher right shoulder (bottoms) signals a trend shift.
- Profit target assumes forced exits by those in losing positions.
- The neckline prompts many traders to exit, pushing price towards the target.
- Volume analysis helps confirm patterns; expanding volume (bottoms) shows increased buying interest.
Pitfalls:
- Waiting for pattern completion may require patience.
- Not all patterns lead to successful trades.
- Profit targets aren't always reached.
- External events can disrupt patterns.
- Patterns can be subjective; traders should define their criteria.
The Head and Shoulders pattern, though not foolproof, provides a structured approach to identify and act on trend reversals.
How to trade head and shoulder pattern? As a forex trader, it's essential to have a robust arsenal of technical analysis tools at your disposal. One of the most powerful and reliable chart patterns you can use is the "Head and Shoulders" pattern. This pattern is prized for its ability to signal potential trend reversals, allowing traders to make informed decisions and capitalize on market opportunities. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve deep into the Head and Shoulders pattern, breaking down its components, identifying its variations, and learning how to trade it effectively.
Understanding the Head and Shoulders Pattern
The Head and Shoulders pattern is a classic reversal pattern that forms after an extended uptrend, signaling a potential change in market direction from bullish to bearish. It consists of three peaks, with the middle peak (the "head") being higher than the other two peaks (the "shoulders"). The pattern typically unfolds as follows:
1. The Left Shoulder
- The left shoulder represents the first peak after a strong uptrend.
- This peak is typically followed by a minor retracement, creating the first trough.
2. The Head
- The head forms after a brief rally from the left shoulder's low point.
- It represents the highest peak in the pattern and usually exceeds the previous peak.
- After reaching this peak, the price retraces again, forming the second trough.
3. The Right Shoulder
- The right shoulder is the third and final peak in the pattern.
- Like the left shoulder, it is lower than the head and forms after a minor rally.
- The right shoulder's high is followed by a retracement, creating the third trough.
Key Characteristics of the Head and Shoulders Pattern
To effectively identify and trade the Head and Shoulders pattern, it's crucial to understand its key characteristics:
1. Symmetry
- The left and right shoulders should be roughly symmetrical in terms of height and width.
- The head should be the highest point in the pattern.
2. Volume
- Volume plays a vital role in confirming the pattern.
- Volume should generally decline as the pattern forms and then increase as the price breaks below the neckline (more on this later).
3. Neckline
- The neckline is a trendline drawn horizontally connecting the low points of the left and right troughs (the shoulders).
- The neckline serves as a critical level of support. A breach of this level confirms the pattern.
Trading the Head and Shoulders Pattern
Trading the Head and Shoulders pattern involves two main steps: identification and execution.
Identification:
1. potting the Pattern: Begin by identifying a well-defined Head and Shoulders pattern on your forex chart.
2. Volume Confirmation: Ensure that volume decreases as the pattern forms and increases upon breaking the neckline.
3. Neckline: Draw a neckline connecting the lows of the left and right shoulders.
Execution:
1. Entry Point: Place a short trade when the price breaks below the neckline. This serves as a signal that the pattern has confirmed.
2. Stop-Loss and Take-Profit: Set a stop-loss order above the right shoulder and a take-profit order based on your risk-reward ratio.
3. Risk Management: Be mindful of risk management, and never risk more than you can afford to lose on a single trade.
Variations of the Head and Shoulders Pattern
While the classic Head and Shoulders pattern is powerful, variations can offer additional insights:
Inverse Head and Shoulders:
- An inverse Head and Shoulders pattern signals a potential bullish reversal.
- It comprises three troughs with the head being lower than the shoulders.
- The pattern is confirmed when the price breaks above the neckline.
Complex Head and Shoulders:
- Complex variations may have multiple heads or shoulders, making them harder to spot.
- Despite their complexity, they follow the same principles of confirmation through neckline breaches.
Conclusion
The Head and Shoulders pattern is a valuable tool in the forex trader's toolkit. By mastering its identification and execution, you can gain a competitive edge in the market. Remember that no pattern is foolproof, and risk management remains paramount in forex trading. As with any technical analysis tool, it's essential to combine the Head and Shoulders pattern with other indicators and analysis methods for a well-rounded trading strategy. So, start practicing, keep refining your skills, and always stay informed about the latest market developments to become a successful forex trader.
📊How To Trade: H&S Pattern📍How to Identify and Use the Head and Shoulders Pattern
The head and shoulders pattern is characterized by key features to look out for on trading charts. It typically occurs after a bullish uptrend when buying pressure begins to fade. The pattern includes a left shoulder, a higher middle peak, and a right shoulder approximately at the same level as the left shoulder. Additionally, the pattern should have a distinct neckline acting as a support level.
✔️To successfully identify and trade the head and shoulders pattern, consider the following step-by-step approach:
🔹 Look for three distinct tops , namely the left shoulder, head, and right shoulder, which occur after an uptrend.
🔹 Identify the neckline support level , which connects the lowest points of the left and right shoulders.
🔹 Wait for a breakout to occur, confirmed by a candle closing below the neckline.
🔹 Once the breakout is confirmed, place a selling order to capitalize on the bearish reversal signaled by the pattern.
🔹 Implement a stop-loss order above the neckline, ideally positioned at the highest level of the right shoulder, to manage risk effectively.
🔹 Consider using a risk-reward ratio to determine a suitable target for taking profits, ensuring the potential reward justifies the risk taken.
Lets consider the following example below as a step by step to identify the pattern. This is what it would look like in a real scenario:
Step 1: Price is moving on an uptrend and starting to form the head and shoulder peaks
Step 2: We can identify the neckline which we can observe price react as a temporary support which connects the lower peaks. We need to wait for a clear breakout in order to find an entry
insert s2.png image here
Step 3: Price broke below the neckline and re-tested the neckline so we enter a short position on the re-test with taking profit target the length of the head to neckline
insert s3.png image here
Step 4: We can see the pattern was correct and it hit our targets
insert s4.png here
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📅 Daily Ideas about market update, psychology & indicators
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How To Spot A Reversal Like a Pro!Hello Traders,
Spotting a reversal is always a daunting task I know. That is I use a 2 Step Down Timeframe Method to spot a reversal in correct way. I have explained step by step so please watch in full to understand it clearly. Also do not forget to like the video and let me know in the comment section if you have nay questions.
📉📈 ZigZag IndicatorZigZag's primary goal is to focus on significant swings and trends by removing insignificant and misleading price changes.
ZigZag connects the price's highest and lowest points using straight lines while ignoring minor swings.
ZigZag just aims to make sense of the market's previous movements; it makes no attempt to predict the price of an item.
It is only based on hindsight and is not predictive in any way. It is based on the past prices of securities and cannot forecast the next swing highs and swing lows.
🟢Advantages
It eliminates market noise and displays the most significant price fluctuations.
It operates in several timeframes.
When utilized in cooperation with other technical indicators, it gives positive results.
🔴Disadvantages
It will mark the latest high or low of the price with a time lag.
The last stretch of the indicator (the one that involves the current price) may be redrawn.
Not predictive in any way, has to be used in combination of other strategies to be effective.
👤 @AlgoBuddy
📅 Daily Ideas about market update, psychology & indicators
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HEAD AND SHOULDERS PATTERN - TRADING GUIDE Head and Shoulders pattern
This lesson will cover the following
What is a “Head and Shoulders” formation?
How can it be confirmed?
How can it be traded?
The Head and Shoulders pattern forms after an uptrend, and if confirmed, marks a trend reversal. The opposite pattern, the Inverse Head and Shoulders, therefore forms after a downtrend and marks the end of the downward price movement.
As you can guess by its name, the Head and Shoulders pattern consists of three peaks – a left shoulder, a head, and a right shoulder. The head should be the highest and the two shoulders should be at least relatively of equal height. As the price corrects from each peak, the lows retreat to form the so-called neckline, which is later used for confirming the pattern. Here is what an H&S pattern looks like.
Other key elements of this pattern and its trade process are the breakouts, protective stops, profit target, and volume, which is used as an additional tool to confirm the trend reversal. So here is how you identify the Head and Shoulders pattern and how its individual components are characterized.
Formation and confirmation
In order to have a trend reversal pattern, you definitely need a trending market. Let's talk about the first model of H&S, the Inverse or Reversal will have the same methodology but exactly in the opposite way.
While prices are trending up, our future patterns left shoulder forms as a peak, which marks the high of the current trend. For the shoulder to be formed, the price then needs to correct down, retreating to a low, which is usually above or at the trend line, thus, keeping the uptrend still in force. This low marks the first point used to determine where the neckline stands.
Afterward, a new higher peak begins to form, stemming from the left shoulder low, which is our pattern head. As the market makes a higher high (the head), it then corrects back and usually, this is the point where the upward trend is penetrated, thus signaling a shift in momentum and a possible Head and Shoulders pattern.
The second low that is touched after the retreat from the heads peak is the other point used to build the neckline, which is basically a line drawn through the two lows.
The subsequent rebound from the second low forms the third peak – the right shoulder. It should be lower than the head and overall match the height of the left shoulder (keep in mind that exact matches rarely occur). It is also preferable that the two shoulders have required relatively the same amount of time to form as this would make the pattern stronger.
In order for the Head and Shoulders pattern to be confirmed, the retreat from the third peak (the right shoulder) should penetrate the neckline and a candle should close below it.
The neckline itself should be horizontal in the perfect case scenario, but that rarely happens. Instead, most often it is sloping up or down and that is of significance as well – a downward-sloping neckline is more bearish than an upward-sloping one.
Volume
As mentioned above, volume plays a key role as a confirmation tool and can be measured via indicators or by just analyzing its levels. Presumably, volume during the left shoulder advance should be higher than during the subsequent one, because as the head hits a higher high on the base of declining volume, this serves as an early signal for a possible reverse. This, however, does not happen every time.
The next step of confirmation comes when volume increases during the decline from the head's peak and the last nail in the coffin are when volume gains further during the right shoulder's decline.
Trading the pattern, stops and profit targets
We said earlier that the Head and Shoulders pattern is deemed confirmed if the right shoulder's decline penetrates through the neckline and a candle closes below it. As soon as that happens and you are reassured that it is not a false breakout, you can enter into a short position. However, as you already know, no trading decisions should be made on the go, i.e. you need to have predetermined where your protective stop is going to stand and what your profit target is.
Protective stop
There are two common places where you can place your stop loss. The first one, which is more conservative, is right above the peak of the head, while a more standard position is right beyond the right shoulder. You can see those visualized in the following screenshot.
The second option makes more sense because if the breakout through the neckline actually fails and the price rebounds back with such momentum that it rises beyond the right shoulder, then the whole pattern is flawed and you definitely do not need to wait for it to exceed the head as well. Besides, such a loose stop significantly increases the risk and reduces the risk/reward ratio, thus, reducing this pattern's trading appeal.
Profit target
The most common and often advised profit target is the distance (number of pips) between the head's peak and the neckline. Having estimated that distance, you then need to subtract it from the neckline, just like in the screenshot below.
And how does that translate in terms of risk/reward ratio? If the breakout confirmation (the close beyond the neckline) appears very close to the neckline itself, and we enter into a short position there, we generally have a 1:1 risk-to-reward proportion, if we use a conservative protective stop. Why?
Since our profit target is the distance between the heads peak and the neckline, if we decide to use the conservative option for a protective stop, then we will have the same distance as a loss limit, thus, reducing our risk-to-reward ratio to 1:1.
This is why, in order to improve that ratio, most experienced traders place their protective stops more often above the right shoulders peak, given that they use the head-to-neckline profit target.
However, keep in mind that this price distance should serve as a rough target, because things are usually not that straightforward and other factors such as previous support levels, crossing mid-term and long-term moving averages, etc. must be taken into consideration as well.
Two ways to trade the Head and Shoulders Pattern
There are generally two ways to trade this pattern, depending on how it plays out. The first one we've already mentioned. As soon as a candle closes below the neckline as a sign of confirmation, you enter into a short position with the respective profit target and protective stop described above.
Now for the second way to trade the H&S formation. In this case, we have a pullback after the neckline penetration, which, once support, now acts as a resistance level. This time we need to go short once the price pulls back and tests the neckline as resistance. As soon as it rebounds from the neckline, we enter into a short position, using the same principle for placing the protective stop and aiming for the same profit as in the first scenario. Here is what this would look like.
#Head&Shoulder chart pattern in action
Head and shoulder definition: A simple head and shoulders top formation is characterized by a peak representing
the left shoulder, followed by a higher peak which is referred to as the head of the formation. A lower peak representing the right shoulder is found on the right‐hand side of the head. The head should be the highest peak in the formation. The neckline is a trendline that connects the troughs that lie on either side of the head. Necklines may be horizontal or inclined which in our case is inclined. In an inverted head and shoulders formation (also referred to as a head and shoulders bottom), the head is the lowest
trough within the formation.
Head and shoulder pattern completion: The head and shoulders formation is completed with a valid breakout of the neckline Until a valid penetration has occurred, the formation is regarded as merely tentative. But as you can see in our case the pattern is completed since we can see upside breakout of the chart pattern neckline.
Head and shoulder pattern target: The minimum one‐to‐one price objective or target for a head and shoulders top formation is simply the vertical distance between the head and the neckline projected downward from the neckline breakout level. For an inverted head and shoulders formation, the vertical distance is projected upward from the neckline breakout level. You can see this vertical line in the chart.
Head and shoulder pattern entry:
■■ Short at a break of the right shoulder’s uptrend line with a stop placed above the right shoulder or head (see Point 1 in Figure 13.9)
■■ Short at the peak of the right shoulder with a stop placed above the right shoulder or head, especially when there is a significant resistive confluence comprising of significant Fibonacci retracement levels, Floor Trader’s Pivot Point levels, and
psychologically important price levels associated with double and triple zeros
■■ Short at the right shoulder when it is testing the left shoulder’s resistance level, with a stop placed above the resistance level or head
■■ Short on a valid penetration of the neckline with a stop placed above the neckline, right shoulder, or head (see Point 2 in Figure 13.9)
■■ Short on a retest of the neckline after a valid penetration with a stop placed above the neckline, right shoulder, or head (see Point 3 in Figure 13.9)
■■ Short on the penetration of the price associated with the trough created by the retest action, with a stop placed above the trough, neckline, right shoulder, or head (see Point 4 in Figure 13.9)
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Source: the handbook of technical analysis by Mark Andrew Lim
Head and ShoulderYou probably heard of the Head and Shoulders chart pattern. There are two versions of the 'Head and Shoulders' in the markets. The pattern that resembles a human figure standing upright is the BEARISH version where we would like to see SELLS in the market.
The pattern that resembles a Human figure hanging upside-down is called the "Inverted Head and Shoulders" pattern where we would like to see BUYS in the market.
In this chart example, we have the Bearish version. The head (where the face is located) is often times classified as the stop hunt where liquidity is established. The stop hunt liquidity is where retail buyers are trapped.
An optimal entry for this pattern would be on the right shoulder (located on right side of your screen) with first targets aim at the neckline or beyond.
How to Find Legitimate Head and Shoulder PatternsHey Guys!
I just wanted to post a quick tutorial on how to find legitimate Head and Shoulder patterns.
In this lesson, I explain the 5 rules that a Head and Shoulders pattern must abide for it to be legitimate.
Here's the rules:
#1 Both necklines must be parallel.
#2 The main neckline cannot be broken out of surpassed before the right shoulder's price level is reached.
#3 The Head and Shoulders must be relatively flat.
#4 The top neckline can only be adjusted to a wick between the main pivot and the last correlating major pivot.
#5 The prior trend must be in the opposing direction. (which is up in the case of a "short" Head and Shoulders Pattern )
That's it! I hope this helps!
Have a great day!
Ken
Head & Shoulders Pattern - Advanced AnalysisIn this series about chart patterns we previously discussed narrowing wedges patterns, explaining their identification rules, the measure rule associated with them, and various observations.
In this post, we will cover head & shoulders, inverse head & shoulders, and their complex counterpart. We will cover their identification rules, measure rules, and share some observations regarding these unique yet popular patterns.
The topics covered in this post are mostly based on the work of Bulkowski on chart patterns (1).
1. Head And Shoulders
The head and shoulder pattern also referred to as Head-and-Shoulders Tops by Bulkowski, is a bearish reversal structure commonly found in uptrends, characterized by a series of three maxima with the center maxima higher than the other two.
The first maxima is denoted as "Left Shoulder", the second maxima (the highest one in the formation) is denoted as "Head", and the third maxima is denoted as "Right Shoulder". The volume on a head and shoulders formation should be decreasing over time.
Bulkwoski points out that symmetry can play an important role in the validity of an H&S pattern.
1: H&S = Left Shoulder < Head > Right Shoulder
2: Left Shoulder ≈ Right Shoulder
The first and second maxima are followed by two minima, the line connecting these two-point form the "neckline". Price breaking the neckline downward is a bearish signal (note that a low volume breakout is not indicative of a potential failure).
Ongoing H&S on PGAL daily, waiting for the price to reach the neckline.
2. Inverted Head And Shoulders
The inverted head and shoulder pattern also referred to as Head-and-Shoulders Bottoms by Bulkowski, is a bullish reversal structure commonly found in downtrends, characterized by a series of three minima with the centre minima lower than the previous two.
The first minima is denoted as "Left Shoulder", the second minima (the lowest one in the formation) is denoted as "Head", and the third minima is denoted as "Right Shoulder". Like with a regular H&S, the volume should be decreasing over time.
We can see it's simply a regular H&S pattern, but inverted.
1: Inverted H&S = Left Shoulder > Head < Right Shoulder
2: Left Shoulder ≈ Right Shoulder
The first and second minima are followed by two maxima, the line connecting these two-point form the "neckline". Price breaking the neckline upward is a bullish signal (note that a low volume breakout is not indicative of a potential failure).
Inverted H&S on MTSI daily.
3. Complex Variations
Bulkowski presents two complex variations to the H&S and inverted H&S patterns. These complex variations are similar to the regular ones but have the particularity of having multiple shoulders on each side or multiple heads.
Inverted complex H&S on ARKW daily.
4. Measure Rule
The measure rule for head and shoulders formations allows the determination for the level of taking profits and stop losses after a breakout of the neckline.
In the case of a regular H&S, the take profit should be set at the breakout point minus the height between the formation head value and the neckline value where the head is located.
The same applies to inverted H&S, the take profit should be set at the breakout point plus the height between the formation neckline value where the head is located and the formation head value.
In the case of a complex dual-head H&S formation, the head value that should be selected is the lowest one.
5. Observations
Head and shoulders formations can sometimes be encountered within diamonds formations.
Osler identifies head-and-shoulders trading as a type of noise trading and points out that the immediate price effect of head-and-shoulders trades disappears slowly but completely over the subsequent two weeks (2).
Caginalp and Balevonich found that head and shoulders patterns can be obtained as a consequence of a single group of investors with identical motivations and assessment of the value of the financial instrument (3).
7. References
(1) Bulkowski, T. N. (2021). Encyclopedia of chart patterns. John Wiley & Sons.
(2) Osler, C. (1998). Identifying Noise Traders: The Head-and-Shoulders Pattern in U.S. Equities. Federal Reserve Bank of New York Research Paper Series.
(3) Caginalp, G., & Balevonich, D. (2003). A Theoretical Foundation for Technical Analysis. Capital Markets: Market Microstructure eJournal.
What is Head and Shoulders Pattern?Introducing series topics of trading systems we gonna do on Tradingview and hope readers can learn something from our educational content. Three main systems are the followings:
1)Pattern recognition
2)Trending following
3)Counter trend
Start with pattern recognition, and we will mainly cover two main categories of price patterns: Major Reversal patterns and continuation patterns.
Then introduce today’s educational content: H&S pattern , which is probably the most reliable and best known of all major reversal patterns. Most of the other reversal patterns are just variations of H&S.
Volume Factor: H&S Pattern is relatively easy to recognize but many people ignore the importance of volume: The head should take place on lighter volume than the left shoulder which indicates a diminishing buying power. And volume should also expand on the breaking of the neckline to confirm the pattern.
Price Target: :Also the price target is not guaranteed to be the height of pattern, height may only be a minimum target. Also when we take other factors into consideration such as pivot support area, we need to adjust our price target rather than brainlessly using the height of the pattern as price projection.
Coming back to the topic Bitcoin chart as of today. Bitcoin is also forming the same pattern on a larger time frame.
What do you think, will Bitcoin hold the neckline and rebounce above the right shoulder to form a new bullish trend or will Bitcoin break the neckline with volume confirmed to aim for the next pivot support (also the previous breakout level) around 20,000?
Follow us for more education content on Technical Analysis.
Next Topic Preview: The Inverse H&S pattern
Head and Shoulders - "Learn More Earn More" with us Head and Shoulders Definition:
A head and shoulders pattern is also a trend reversal formation.
It is formed by a peak (left shoulder), followed by a higher peak (head), and then another lower pea k (right shoulder).
A “Neckline” is drawn by connecting the lowest points of the two troughs. Neckline support does not need to be strictly horizontal.
. This illustrates that the upward trend is coming to an end.
. When a Head and Shoulders formation is seen in an uptrend , it signifies a major reversal .
. The pattern is confirmed once the price breaches the neckline support
In this example, we can easily see the head and shoulders pattern.
How to Trade the Head and Shoulders Pattern:
ENTRY:
we put an entry order below the neckline.
TARGET:
We can also calculate a target by measuring the high point of the head to the neckline.
This distance is approximately how far the price will move after it breaks the neckline.
How to deal with Head and Shoulders patternThe head and shoulders pattern is one of the most reliable chart models so it is very important to identify it in order to execute a profitable trade with the least possible exposure to risk.
The basic concept of such a model is the formation of a final maximum ( head ) separated by two more contained raises (shoulders ) that can also be not identical for entity of change price. The formation of such figure can be both of change trend and continuation/strengthening of the primary trend.
In the stock market becomes more easily identifiable because of increase or decrease of volumes at key points; maximum volumes in the construction of the left shoulder and head, lower volumes in the construction of the right shoulder.
It is more difficult to frame a head and shoulders in the forex market by analyzing the volumes as they may not be the real volumes of the trades.
The line that supports the structure is called neckline. The strength of a head and shoulders also depends on the timeframe (daily, weekly, monthly) with which you look at the chart, in fact, the higher the timeframe more time will take for the formation but will be more strong the final movement.
Example 1 ----> imgur.com
Example 2 ----> imgur.com
The formation of the pattern that we see in the figure in the link , as mentioned above , could also be slightly inclined, often depends on the primary trend for which to have an inaccurate neckline. It ' s also possible a head and shoulders inverted pattern as you see in the figure which to the contrary of the first one presages a possible break to the rise of the prices and therefore a change trend from short to long.
Thanks for support , if you like the post push the like button and tell me what you think about it or if it was useful to you. The post explains my operation in the presence of a head and shoulders to take the least risk.
Head and Shoulders the accurate price action patternHead and Shoulders Pattern Tutorial -
Head & Shoulders chart pattern is a price reversal pattern that helps traders identify when a reversal may be underway; this reversal signals the end of an uptrend.
The formation of a H&S pattern resembles a baseline or neckline with three peaks where the middle peak is the highest between the two right and left peaks.
Head and Shoulders patterns are statistically the most accurate chart pattern, almost 85% of the time they reach their projected target.
The formation of a H&S pattern resembles a baseline with three peaks where the middle peak is the highest. The two left and right peak don't have to be at the same price, but the more closer they are to the same level the more stronger the pattern becomes. The pattern completes when price breaks through the neckline.
Stay Tuned, 👍;


















