stock market

Head and Shoulders Pattern

The Head and Shoulders pattern is one of the most powerful and reliable trend reversal patterns in technical analysis. It’s like a warning sign that the current trend is losing steam and about to take a sharp turn in the opposite direction.

Structure:
  • Left Shoulder: The price rises to a peak and then declines.
  • Head: A higher peak is formed, followed by another decline.
  • Right Shoulder: The price rises again but forms a lower peak than the head.
  • Neckline: A support level connecting the two low points after the left shoulder and head.
Trading Strategy:
  • A sell signal is triggered when the price breaks below the neckline.
  • The expected price drop is usually equal to the height of the head from the neckline.

psychology behind this patter is , its shows a loss of momentum from the buyers and the start of a trend change as a lower high has already formed .this patter very string after strong uptrend .

The Head and Shoulders pattern is not just a random shape—it represents a fundamental shift in market sentiment. It forms because of buyer exhaustion and a shift in control from bulls to bears .

Left Shoulder (First Attempt by Buyers)

  • The market is in an uptrend as buyers push prices higher.
  • A peak forms, but selling pressure emerges, causing a pullback.
  • However, buyers regain control and push the price back up.

Head (Final Bullish Push Before Exhaustion)

  • Optimism drives prices even higher, forming a new peak.
  • But this time, buying pressure weakens—fewer traders are willing to buy at these high levels.
  • When sellers step in, the price falls harder than before, signaling a weakening trend.

Right Shoulder (Final Attempt to Continue the Trend Fails)

  • The market tries to rally again but fails to reach the previous high (head).
  • This creates lower highs, showing that bullish momentum is fading.
  • More sellers enter the market, anticipating a downturn.

Break of the Neckline – Bears Take Over!

  • Once the price breaks below the neckline, panic selling kicks in.
  • Traders rush to exit, and the trend reverses downward, often triggering a major sell-off.
How to trade Head and Shoulder Pattern ? .

Identify the Pattern Formation

  • Look for the three peaks: Left Shoulder, Head, and Right Shoulder.
  • Ensure the Right Shoulder is lower than the Head, showing weakness.
  • Draw a Neckline by connecting the two lows between the shoulders.

Wait for the Neckline Break (Confirmation)

  • The pattern is NOT valid until the price breaks below the Neckline.
  • A breakout on high volume confirms that bears have taken control.
How to Use an Indicator for Head and Shoulders

Head and Shoulders is a price action pattern, indicators can help confirm trades:

  1. Volume Indicator:
    • Look for declining volume as the right shoulder forms.
    • A spike in volume when breaking the neckline confirms the move.
  2. RSI (Relative Strength Index):
    • Bearish Divergence: If RSI is making lower highs while price forms the head, it signals weakness.
    • Look for RSI dropping below 50 after the neckline breaks.
  3. Moving Averages (MA):
    • Price breaking below the 50 or 200 EMA strengthens the bearish signal.
    • If the neckline aligns with an MA, the breakout is stronger.
Confirming the Head and Shoulders Pattern with Candlesticks at the Right Shoulder and Neckline
Right Shoulder – Reversal Confirmation (Bearish H&S)

At the right shoulder, you want to see bearish reversal candlesticks, confirming selling pressure.

Bearish Engulfing

  • Large red candle completely engulfs the previous bullish candle.
  • Confirms the right shoulder as a resistance level.

Shooting Star

  • Small body with a long upper wick, showing rejection of higher prices.
  • Indicates sellers are overpowering buyers at the right shoulder.

Evening Star

  • Three-candle pattern:
    • Strong bullish candle.
    • Small indecisive candle.
    • Strong bearish candle.

Neckline Breakout – Entry Confirmation

When price breaks the neckline, look for strong breakout confirmation candles:

Bearish Marubozu Candle

  • Full-body bearish candle with no wicks.
  • Indicates strong momentum and confirms the breakdown.

High-Volume Bearish Candle

  • A big red candle with increased volume confirms a strong breakdown.

Retest + Rejection Candle

  • If price retests the neckline and forms a bearish engulfing or shooting star, it’s a perfect entry point.

Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern

The Inverse Head and Shoulders is a bullish reversal chart pattern that signals a potential trend reversal from a downtrend to an uptrend. It consists of three key components

Pattern Structure:

  1. Left Shoulder: A decline followed by a minor rally.
  2. Head: A deeper decline forming the lowest point, followed by a recovery.
  3. Right Shoulder: A shallower decline, forming a higher low, followed by another recovery.
  4. Neckline: A resistance level connecting the peaks of the left and right shoulders. A breakout above this confirms the pattern.

Trading Strategy:

  • Entry: Buy when the price breaks above the neckline with strong volume.
  • Stop-Loss: Below the right shoulder or head.
  • Target: Measure the height from the head to the neckline and project it upwards.
How to trade Head and Shoulder Pattern ?
How to Use an Indicator for Head and Shoulders

Head and Shoulders is a price action pattern, indicators can help confirm trades:

  1. Volume Indicator:
    • Look for declining volume as the right shoulder forms.
    • A spike in volume when breaking the neckline confirms the move.
  2. RSI (Relative Strength Index):
    • Bearish Divergence: If RSI is making higher highs while price forms the head, it signals weakness.
    • Look for RSI moving up 50 after the neckline breaks.
  3. Moving Averages (MA):
    • Price breaking above the 50 or 200 EMA strengthens the bullih signal.
    • If the neckline aligns with an MA, the breakout is stronger.
Confirming the Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern with Candlesticks at the Right Shoulder and Neckline
Right Shoulder – Reversal Confirmation (Bullish H&S)

At the right shoulder, you want to see bullish reversal candlesticks, confirming buying pressure.

bullish Engulfing

  • Large red candle completely engulfs the previous bearish candle.
  • Confirms the right shoulder as a support level.

Shooting Star

  • Small body with a long lower wick, showing rejection of lower prices.
  • Indicates buyers are overpowering sellers at the right shoulder.

Morning Star

  • Three-candle pattern:
    • Strong bullish candle.
    • Small indecisive candle.

Neckline Breakout – Entry Confirmation

When price breaks the neckline, look for strong breakout confirmation candles:

Bullish Marubozu Candle

  • Full-body bearish candle with no wicks.
  • Indicates strong momentum and confirms the breakdown.

High-Volume Bearish Candle

  • A big green candle with increased volume confirms a strong breakdown.

Retest + Rejection Candle

  • If price retests the neckline and forms a bullish engulfing or shooting star, it’s a perfect entry point.

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