what is a kicker pattern 
a kicker pattern is a two bar candlestick pattern that predicts a change in the direction of an asset s price trend this pattern is characterized by a sharp reversal in price over the span of two candlesticks traders use it to determine which group of market participants is in control of the direction the pattern points to a strong change in investors attitudes toward a security the change in direction usually occurs following the release of valuable information about a company industry or economy understanding the kicker patternthe stock market is characterized by competing buyers bulls and sellers bears the constant tug of war among these players is what forms candlesticks patterns candlestick charting originated from a technique developed in japan in the 1700s that tracked the price of rice candlesticks are a suitable technique for trading any liquid financial asset such as stocks futures and foreign exchange the kicker pattern is considered one of the most reliable reversal patterns and usually indicates a dramatic change in a company s fundamentals the kicker pattern is a reversal pattern and it differs from a gap pattern which tends to show a gap up or down and stay in that trend the patterns look similar but each implies something different kicker patterns are either bullish or bearish bullish kickers start with a bearish candle and then show a bullish gap up bearish kickers start with a bullish candle and then show a bearish gap down image by julie bang investopedia 2020