This is another guest post by Big Swiss! I would have to say I totally agree with the first quote below. I’m too humble to ever say something like that, but there are times I have wanted to. Enjoy!

For those who have learned how to be consistent, the money is not only within their grasp; they can virtually take it at will. I’m sure that some will find this statement shocking or difficult to believe, but it is true. [Mark Douglas – Trading in the Zone]

A reversal bar is one of the most reliable signal bars, and it simply is a bar that reverses some aspect of the direction of the prior bar or bars. [Al Brooks – Reading Price Charts Bar by Bar]

Quick summary and preview:

In the first article, we explored price action momentum and how we can review these aspects through historical chart review. Bar closes absolutely matter, and some price patterns could influence directional probabilities. A bar closing on its high or low shows a greater probability of continuing in that direction, at least for a little bit. Finally, all trade decisions must be performed at bar close. The second article emphasized how tick charts may assist in spotting momentum changes, or reversals. Combining the critical aspects from the first two articles, here we will review a foundational aspect which can potentially turn your trading “right side up” – the reversal bar!

Reducing trade selection efforts to exclusively using the perfect reversal bar as the signal bar, in combination with second entries and other price action characteristics, a trader will quickly find his success ratio approximately at 80% or potentially higher.

A little math:

Target: 4 ticks. Stop: 8 ticks or at the swing high or low (whichever is greater)

Let’s temporarily exclude the costs of trade execution, exchange fees and the costs of “doing business”, as they are much smaller in comparison to the profit. In the ES, a win nets +$50, while a loss results -$100. Therefore the barrier for profitability begins at approximately [100/ (100+50)] or 67.7% or significantly worse than a coin flip. If a “guess” represents an assumption that we are only 50% correct in estimation, then any time during a trading session that you do not have absolute confidence in the trade, or uncertainty in your “reading of the market”, then please simply pass on the trade as your estimation is certainly less than 67.7%. By further reducing all activity to the highest probability cases, you will be using a trade selection much better than 75%. Reviewing historical price action can confirm this. That is potentially a 7% or greater advantage which, if rigorously followed, would turn you into the casino. This isn’t a guarantee, just an opportunity. Skill at trade entry, management, and execution still play roles.

Introducing the Reversal Bar:

One of the simple keys to understanding the reversal bar is that it is “reversing/changing” previous price action momentum. In a trading range, which represents a lack of momentum, seeing a reversal bar has much less meaning, and is one of the reasons that reliance on candle stick patterns often proves fatal. If there isn’t much directional momentum to reverse, a price pattern will have a much lower probability during these periods. Price action is not about candlesticks, but reading the shifting momentum of prices, especially around areas of support and resistance (a future article and Mack has several listings). While candle sticks can assist a trader in evaluating the strength and waning of momentum, training the eyes to see how this visualizes is the critical aspect. The reversal bar is about shifting and changing momentum into the opposite direction. Simple.

Characteristics:

Exploring the best bull reversal bars, you will note the following characteristics [Al Brooks edit with personal discussion] (note the reverse for bear reversal bars):

1) The current potential signal bar opening near or below the close of the prior bar and then closing above the current bars open and above the prior bar’s close [The signal bar is a bull bar and is already reversing through previous bearish price levels].

2) A lower tail that is no more than 1/3 – ½ the height of the bar, and a small or nonexistent upper tail [prevents the signal bar from having trading range characteristics. Also a strong close improves directional momentum]

3) Not much overlap with the prior bar or bars [Overlap shows a lack of directional momentum. If there is a lot over overlap the reversal may be more indicative of trading range behavior or the pause of the current directional movement].

Unpacking the Reversal Bar:

Keeping it simple . . .

For the bull reversal bar, we are reviewing price strength for opportunities where the downward pressure is waning and changing. If downward pressure is reducing, that in effect means that purchasing power is entering the market. This is mostly clearly seen as a bull bar where the body has a good size in relation to any lower “tail”. Since a tail represents an area where prices moved through and then reversed, a long tail in relation to the candle body indicates indecision – trading range behavior. On time charts this is easily reviewed by reducing the time interval. However, we always want to use only 1 chart (simplify actions and considerations).

The above rules then simply emphasize a shifting of directional momentum from one direction to another. Does this mean that a reversal signal bar absolutely creates a worthy trade entry? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! This is another area where candlestick “science” fails a less experienced trader. The pattern evolution of prices (to be explored in a future article) takes precedence over any particular “bar” type. Additionally low probability “events” happen at some of the most unexpected and inopportune times. This is a more clearly stated by saying context is more important than any particular pattern.

So how do we overcome these limitations and restrictions and visualize the appropriate times that a potential trade provides a clear opportunity to profit?

Framing the Reversal Bar

Now that we have summarized a few important rules for the reversal signal bar, let us put specific guidelines to these characteristics to create the highest potentially opportunity, as well as visualize these cases. Seeing is believing!

1) 2 bar reversal w/o much overlap. Direct and immediate reversal of momentum in the shortest period (2 bars). A bull bar signal bar following a bear bar or the reverse. If the first bar is a doji the reversal of momentum isn’t as strong.

2) The reversal signal bar begins (if a bull bar) lower than the previous bear bar. By beginning lower, bears from the previous bar have had the opportunity to sell 1 tick lower. By then reversing upwards, this enhances the possibility of trapping bears.

3) The reversal setup bar closes on its “high” if a bull bar, or “low” if a bear bar. Strong closes have the highest probability especially as the signal bar. With some experience, this can be extended to 1 tick tails from the close, but there is slightly less probability as a result (the bar could have been stronger). Two tick tail closes sacrifice too much probability for consideration. USE KEY ENTRY POINTS.

4) Reversals occurring at or near swing highs or lows within the price action. Second entries are preferred. Note the price action pattern should not be tight since highly directional moves without prior exhibition of sufficient reversal strength only indicate a brief pause and not a potential reversal (covered in price patterns).

5) The reversal bar does not grow overwhelmingly big. For example if average price bars are 2 points, and the potential signal bar is continuing to grow beyond 2 points, the risk may not be worth the probability as the “move” may already have occurred. Additionally, stop loss risk must be 1 tick below the (bear bar) high or (bull bar) low of the signal bar or the price swing high or low [whichever is greater]. Note that the risk may be too great.

6) Reversal bars forming near swing high or lows. These areas indicate previous price area ranges of support or resistance which may repeat. This rule helps to ensure other participants may also protect price levels resulting in a reversal. The swing high/low is used because that is where previous price reversals have occurred. Having the signal bar be the swing high or low may add emphasis.

7) Reversals near previous areas of support and resistance also offer similar opportunities.

8) Potential trap situations. If the previous bar is a bear bar closing on its low (strong bear close), and the price action opens lower, then the bear shorters have had an opportunity to sell on a stop one tick after the bar close. With the price action reversing by beginning lower than the strong bear bar and then proceeding to close higher than the bear bar’s close and closing on its high, this sets up a potential reversal trap if the momentum continues, which is expected.

9) Reversals need to be sufficiently far from potential areas of resistance (do not trade into resistance areas).

Limiting to perfect:

One really need only 1-2 trades a day on average to be successful.

Trading only the best opportunities allows for experience to grow. Add 1 tick from close reversal setup bars next. They are slightly lower in probability, and based on context may perform equally as well.

Wait patiently for your opportunities. They always come.

[TOP GUN]

On March 3, 1969 the United States Navy established an elite school for the top one percent of its pilots. Its purpose was to teach the lost art of aerial combat (price action) and to insure that the handful of men (and women) who graduated were the best fighter pilots (traders) in the world.

They succeeded (join them!)

Investigation:

The reversal bar offers the highest probability trade. Review the following charts. Note that the majority of charts are from 2019 simply because one frame can easily capture the visuals. Reviewing any period will show similar price occurrences. These “perfect” opportunities may be less frequent but by restricting the setup to the best situations you are offered the greatest opportunity for success so please ensure that you recognize them as they form. Is the current forming bar at a swing high or low, a 2nd entry potential, at a resistance area, and the bar closes on its high or low?

Legend:

“*” – perfect momentum signal bars

“T” – potential trap with reversal bars

“1” – Signal bar 1 tick lower than previous bar

Questions:

1) How often do these situations occur with blue or red arrows (also good probability setups)?

2) Note how many of the blue and red arrow marked signal bar trades begin at least 1 tick higher or lower than the previous bar (big kudos if you have seen this already)!!!!! Consider the effect of this momentum shift.

3) For each day, how often did these trades succeed? (4 ticks).

4) Are they 2nd entries?

5) How many other similar situations failed (look for perfect reversal signal bars)?

6) Gather a month’s worth of historical charts from PATS videos and note the same instances. Estimate the probability of perfect setup completions!!!

7) Does the trap potential aspect make sense based on a reversal of momentum when the previous direction was able to continue slightly more before the momentum change?

8) If the price action is in a trend, and the setup is at the 21 ema, is there a difference in results from a perfect signal bar and a 1 tick from close signal bar?

9) During areas where price “turns” do other patterns suggest high probability for future exploration?

By exploring these questions, a trader’s eye may capture small “details” which previously may have been overlooked. With time and experience, perspectives can positively shift. After a while, what was mysterious simply becomes natural . . .

We have refined trade selection a little more. Grab some charts and review!

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Comments

inboil July 7, 2020 at

Indispensable information, but unable to read the charts. Very small.

Reply

inboil July 7, 2020 at

never mind.

Reply

Steven July 7, 2020 at

Great article! Is there anyway to get the charts bigger?

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Mihaela Popa July 7, 2020 at

Click CTRL and roll the little wheel of the mouse. It will enlarge the image as much as you want.

Great article !!!

Reply

    Jess July 8, 2020 at

    Thanks!

    Reply

Steven July 7, 2020 at

FYI…You can use the zoom feature in your browser to increase the size of the charts.

Reply

Moss July 7, 2020 at

Great article. Thank you.

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Ethan July 8, 2020 at

Great info! Are there students that want to get together virtually to review and exchange and put these edicts in action? I think sharing thoughts would help eliminate our tendencies to deviate from the Mack path

Reply

    ricosta February 2, 2021 at

    Has such a group ever formed? Would love to be a part

    Reply

mercrastius July 8, 2020 at

I’d be interested in a discussion group, count me in.

Reply

    stockmarauder1 July 8, 2020 at

    Hi mercrastius!

    I’ve setup a hangout for this Friday at 2pm. Not sure if this works for you or anyone else that wants to join. I’ll open the bridge since I’ll be reviewing my trades anyways 🙂

    meet.google.com/gvj-tipd-mjy

    Agenda: Share experiences in spotting the right setups and trend lines (micro and macro)
    Perform a market replay and put these practices in action!

    @Mack: I hope you don’t mind this event to help some of us understand/refine your concepts through an interactive discussion with other students

    Reply

      stockmarauder1 July 8, 2020 at

      2PM is PST on Friday July 10, 2020

      Reply

      mercrastius July 9, 2020 at

      Unfortunately that time doesn’t work for me.

      I’m definitely interested in a more in-depth group discussion, but I wasn’t envisioning a live web chat kind of thing. I’m open to it, I just hadn’t considered it. Possibly it’s just me because I’m old & stubborn, but maybe a message board type forum where we could post our chart images & discuss the setups that way? We could have an ongoing thing like a forum thread instead of scheduled meetings. Anyway that’s what I was thinking, but of course I don’t know how to set that up or if that’s even something other people would want.

      I’m open to whatever works if there’s enough interest, so let’s see what happens.

      Reply

      Zorin July 10, 2020 at

      Hey Maradeur,
      Could you record your 2pm session & share it somewhere [youtube, maybe?]
      Please?
      I suppose, a lot of students live in different time zones (mine one is Sydney, for example), and it would be very difficult to some of us to join.
      Thanks in advance.

      Reply

rbruhn July 8, 2020 at

I can see how this can be used effectively in combination with Mack’s price action. It seems especially significant when catching those hidden second entries or traps.

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Mark July 8, 2020 at

Thank you Mack and Big Swiss!

Reply

    WildWex July 12, 2020 at

    Two thumbs up! Thank you!

    Reply

pbs416 July 8, 2020 at

Great Article really !

Reply

mgriego10 July 12, 2020 at

Great article! I’m going to get right into the playback mode in NT and start looking for these setups. Thanks a bunch!

Reply

Jim July 13, 2020 at

Thanks for sharing

Reply

mgcorreia March 1, 2021 at

Hello, how far do you let the bull reversal bar explore below the close of the prior bar for it to be an effective trap? I imagine if the current bar explores a point or more lower past the prior bar, those bears of the prior bar may have mostly scalped out and are now longer trapped (assuming hypothetically everyone is a scalper like us), which may reduce the effectiveness of the trap. Thanks !

Reply

    Mack March 1, 2021 at

    The trap occurs the minute prices break above/below a previous bar in the opposite direction. You anticipate the trap in advance, so do not try and chase it before you enter.

    Reply

mgcorreia March 1, 2021 at

This is good insight for me, i had preferred hammers as my bull reversal signal bars that form after a series of bear bars, that give me considerable room back to the 21ma. But I have not considered the length of the tail vs the body nor the fact that the hammers may close a tick or 2 off their highs. As a result i am only a little better than breakeven at trading. I have long wins of scalps, only to give it all back within the next 3-4 trades, as a result my equity curve is range bound with a ceiling. Hopefully this gets my curve pointed in the right direction and allows me to spring back quicker.

Reply

    Mack March 1, 2021 at

    Breakeven is an indication that you are close to success. Most would love to be breakeven traders, but sadly, they are donators and usually just donate their trading capital to experienced traders. A breakeven trader is knocking at the door really. Just keep working on it.

    Reply

MindOfPeter July 20, 2021 at

I read this several time and translate it to mine language to better understand the subject.
I understand the ‘*’ – perfect momentum signal bar
I understand the ‘1’ – signal bar 1 tick lower than previous bar
I don’t understand ‘T’ – potential trap with reversal bar.

Mine first thought signal bar 1 tick lower than previous bar can be already a trap in the right context.
Secondly I thought ‘T’ was at a spot where a F2EL or F2ES emerged, but study the charts this was not the case at all ‘T’ marks.

Can somebody explain what is meant?
Thanks

Reply

    Mack July 20, 2021 at

    A reversal bar is not the same thing as a failed second entry if that is what you are asking? Do not try and correlate the two here.

    Reply

greggforscher@hotmail.com August 14, 2021 at

For the charts above that are labelled “1” it means per the above ” signal bar one tick lower than the previous bar”. Where the arrows are I am seeing that the signal bars are opening at exactly the same place as the close of the previous bars, not 1 tick below. Is that just because of what Big Swiss says that in looking for a reversal bar it should open even with or one tick below? Or am I missing something?

Reply

    Mack August 16, 2021 at

    Where the bar opens or closes has no bearing. It’s a break above/below the high/low of the previous bar that we are looking for in regards to our trigger.

    Reply

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