Technical Definition
A two-stage price action pattern where the market pauses with an indecision candle (like a Doji or Spinning Top) and then explodes in one direction with a strong breakout candle, signaling a decisive shift from balance to momentum.
The market pauses, participants hesitate, and then one side commits aggressively. Uncertainty ends and momentum begins.
Market pauses and compresses.
Market Psychology
Wait
Market approaches a key level Participation slows Uncertainty peaks
Pause
Neither side dominates Volatility contracts Orders accumulate
Go
One side commits aggressively Stops triggered Momentum accelerates
Pattern Anatomy
Indecision Candle
Small real body, long wicks, shows balance/hesitation.
Break Candle
Large real body, strong close, breaks the indecision range.
The Transition
Momentum expands sharply from the low-volatility pause.
Pattern Rules
Presence of a clear indecision candle
The setup.
Followed immediately by a strong directional candle
The trigger.
Break candle closes outside the indecision range
The confirmation.
Real body of break candle is significantly larger
The power.
Signal Confirmation
- Follow-through candles in the same direction
- Acceptance away from the indecision range
- Price holding above/below the break candle midpoint
- Alignment with higher-timeframe bias