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CDL_KICKING (Kicking Pattern)

Overview

The Kicking pattern is a powerful two-candle reversal pattern characterized by two consecutive marubozu candlesticks (candles with no or minimal shadows) that gap in opposite directions. This pattern signals a dramatic shift in market sentiment with strong conviction from both bulls and bears, making it one of the most reliable reversal patterns in candlestick analysis.

Parameters

Parameter Type Default Description
open Array Required Array of opening prices for each period
high Array Required Array of high prices for each period
low Array Required Array of low prices for each period
close Array Required Array of closing prices for each period

Parameter Details

Note: Array elements should be ordered from oldest to newest (chronological order)

open - Opening price for each trading period - Critical for identifying marubozu characteristics (open near high/low) - Must be same length as other price arrays

high - Highest price reached during each trading period - Used to verify marubozu formation (minimal upper shadow) - Must be same length as other price arrays

low - Lowest price reached during each trading period - Used to verify marubozu formation (minimal lower shadow) - Must be same length as other price arrays

close - Closing price for each trading period - Critical for identifying marubozu characteristics (close near high/low) - Must be same length as other price arrays

Usage

Basic Usage

require 'sqa/tai'

# Price data showing kicking pattern
open  = [50.0, 48.0, 47.0, 52.0, 53.0]
high  = [50.2, 48.1, 47.1, 53.5, 54.0]
low   = [47.8, 46.9, 46.8, 52.0, 52.8]
close = [48.0, 47.0, 46.9, 53.5, 53.8]

result = SQA::TAI.cdl_kicking(open, high, low, close)
puts "Pattern Signal: #{result.last}"

Real-Time Monitoring

result.each_with_index do |signal, index|
  case signal
  when 100
    puts "Bullish Kicking pattern at period #{index}"
  when -100
    puts "Bearish Kicking pattern at period #{index}"
  end
end

Understanding the Indicator

What It Measures

The Kicking pattern identifies dramatic sentiment reversals through: - Two consecutive marubozu candles showing strong conviction - Gap between candles demonstrating sudden shift - Absence of shadows indicating no hesitation - Complete rejection of previous trend

Pattern Formation

Bullish Kicking: 1. First candle: Bearish marubozu (open near high, close near low) 2. Gap up opening of second candle 3. Second candle: Bullish marubozu (open near low, close near high)

Bearish Kicking: 1. First candle: Bullish marubozu (open near low, close near high) 2. Gap down opening of second candle 3. Second candle: Bearish marubozu (open near high, close near low)

Key Characteristics: - Both candles must be marubozu (minimal/no shadows) - Clear gap between the two candles - Strong bodies on both candles - Complete trend reversal signal

Indicator Characteristics

  • Range: -100 (bearish), 0 (no pattern), +100 (bullish)
  • Type: Reversal pattern, high reliability
  • Lag: None - two candle identification
  • Best Used: At trend reversal points, breakouts
  • Reliability: High - one of strongest reversal patterns
  • Time Frame: All time frames; daily most reliable

Interpretation

Signal Values

  • +100 (Bullish Kicking): Strong bullish reversal
  • Sellers completely rejected
  • Buyers in full control

  • High probability uptrend initiation

  • -100 (Bearish Kicking): Strong bearish reversal

  • Buyers completely rejected
  • Sellers in full control

  • High probability downtrend initiation

  • 0 (No Pattern): Requirements not met

Pattern Strength Indicators

  1. Gap Size: Larger gaps = stronger signals
  2. Body Size: Larger marubozu bodies = more conviction
  3. Shadow Absence: Perfect marubozu = strongest signal
  4. Volume: High volume confirms pattern strength

Trading Signals

Buy Signals (Bullish Kicking)

Entry Criteria: - Pattern confirmed (signal = +100) - Enter on close of second candle - Or enter on break above second candle high

Stop Loss: - Below second candle low - Or below gap level

Take Profit: - 2:1 or 3:1 reward/risk - Next resistance level

Example: 

if result.last == 100
  entry = close.last
  stop = low.last * 0.98
  target = entry + ((entry - stop) * 2)

  puts "BUY: #{entry}"
  puts "Stop: #{stop.round(2)}"
  puts "Target: #{target.round(2)}"
end

Sell Signals (Bearish Kicking)

Entry Criteria: - Pattern confirmed (signal = -100) - Enter on close of second candle - Or enter on break below second candle low

Stop Loss: - Above second candle high - Or above gap level

Take Profit: - 2:1 or 3:1 reward/risk - Next support level

Best Practices

Optimal Use Cases

Market Conditions: - After extended trends - At breakout points - High volume periods - Clear support/resistance levels

Time Frames: - Daily: Most reliable - 4-hour: Good for swing trading - Weekly: Very strong signals - Intraday: Requires confirmation

Asset Classes: - Stocks: Highly effective - Forex: Works on major pairs - Futures: Very reliable - Cryptocurrencies: Effective in high volatility

Combining with Other Indicators

With Volume: - High volume on both candles confirms strength - Volume surge validates pattern

With Momentum: - RSI extremes add conviction - MACD confirmation strengthens signal

With Support/Resistance: - Pattern at key levels highly significant - Fibonacci levels add importance

Common Pitfalls

  1. Ignoring Gap Requirement
  2. Must have clear gap between candles

  3. Gap validates sentiment shift

  4. Poor Marubozu Identification

  5. Check for minimal shadows

  6. Both candles must be strong marubozu

  7. No Volume Confirmation

  8. Always verify with volume

  9. Low volume reduces reliability

  10. Wrong Time Frame

  11. Higher time frames more reliable
  12. Intraday needs strict filtering

Practical Example

require 'sqa/tai'

# Historical data
open  = [48.0, 49.0, 50.0, 51.0, 50.8, 46.0, 47.0]
high  = [49.5, 50.5, 51.5, 51.2, 50.9, 47.5, 48.5]
low   = [47.8, 48.8, 49.8, 50.7, 46.0, 45.9, 46.8]
close = [49.0, 50.0, 51.0, 50.8, 46.1, 47.0, 48.2]

pattern = SQA::TAI.cdl_kicking(open, high, low, close)

if pattern.last == 100
  puts "BULLISH KICKING DETECTED"
  puts "First candle (bearish): O=#{open[-2]}, C=#{close[-2]}"
  puts "Second candle (bullish): O=#{open[-1]}, C=#{close[-1]}"
  puts "Gap size: #{(open[-1] - close[-2]).round(2)}"

  entry = close.last
  stop = low.last * 0.985
  target = entry + ((entry - stop) * 2.5)

  puts "\nTrade Setup:"
  puts "Entry: $#{entry.round(2)}"
  puts "Stop: $#{stop.round(2)}"
  puts "Target: $#{target.round(2)}"
  puts "Risk/Reward: 1:2.5"

elsif pattern.last == -100
  puts "BEARISH KICKING DETECTED"
  puts "First candle (bullish): O=#{open[-2]}, C=#{close[-2]}"
  puts "Second candle (bearish): O=#{open[-1]}, C=#{close[-1]}"
  puts "Gap size: #{(close[-2] - open[-1]).round(2)}"

  entry = close.last
  stop = high.last * 1.015
  target = entry - ((stop - entry) * 2.5)

  puts "\nTrade Setup:"
  puts "Entry: $#{entry.round(2)}"
  puts "Stop: $#{stop.round(2)}"
  puts "Target: $#{target.round(2)}"
  puts "Risk/Reward: 1:2.5"
end

Similar Patterns

  • Kicking by Length: Variant where direction determined by longer marubozu
  • Engulfing: Similar reversal concept but without gap requirement
  • Marubozu: Single candle component of Kicking pattern

Complementary Patterns

  • Belt Hold: Single marubozu providing continuation confirmation
  • Two Crows: Can follow bearish kicking for additional bearish confirmation
  • Three White Soldiers: Can follow bullish kicking to confirm uptrend

Advanced Topics

Multi-Timeframe Analysis

# Daily kicking with weekly confirmation
daily_pattern = SQA::TAI.cdl_kicking(daily_open, daily_high, daily_low, daily_close)
weekly_trend = weekly_close.last > weekly_sma.last

if daily_pattern.last == 100 && weekly_trend
  puts "Strong bullish setup - daily kicking + weekly uptrend"
end

Market Regime Adaptation

Trending Markets: Pattern most powerful, high success rate

Ranging Markets: Less frequent but still reliable at range boundaries

High Volatility: More frequent patterns, confirm with volume

Statistical Validation

Success Rates: - 70-75% success rate with proper confirmation - 65-70% on daily charts - Improves to 75-80% with volume confirmation - One of highest reliability candlestick patterns

References

  • "Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques" by Steve Nison: Comprehensive coverage of Kicking pattern
  • "Encyclopedia of Candlestick Charts" by Thomas Bulkowski: Statistical performance analysis
  • Traditional Japanese Analysis: Pattern represents complete market reversal

See Also