Quick SEO key phrases
- sweep and reclaim entry
- retest after sweep
- break of structure entry
- conservative support resistance entry
A sweep (false-break wick) often flushes liquidity and traps weaker orders. After a sweep, you can take high-probability entries using candlestick logic alone. Below are three simple models with exact candlestick confirmations, clear invalidation points, and common mistakes to avoid.
1) Reclaim + Retest (fast entry)
Setup: Price sweeps a level with a long wick, then a bullish (for buy) reclaim candle closes back above the swept level. Wait for a retest of that reclaimed level.
- Confirmation candle: A retest pin-bar or small-range rejection candle that rejects lower prices (long lower wick, small body) near the reclaimed area.
- Entry: Enter on the close of the rejection candle (or a break above its high for more confirmation).
- Stop/invalidation: Place stop below the low of the retest rejection candle. If price falls back below the sweep low, invalidate the setup.
Why it works: The reclaim candle shows buyers regained control, while the retest proves supply has turned into demand. Candlestick rejection on the retest is your trigger.
2) Break of Short-Term Structure (BOS)
Setup: After a sweep, price forms a short-term range or swing. A clear candlestick breakout that closes beyond the recent swing high (for longs) or low (for shorts) signals a BOS.
- Confirmation candle: A decisively directional close (large-bodied candle) that closes beyond the previous swing high/low.
- Entry: Enter on a candle close beyond the swing extreme or on the first pullback that respects the breakout (small pullback, then continuation candle).
- Stop/invalidation: Place stop below the breakout candle’s low (for longs). If price closes back inside the prior range and below the breakout candle low, invalidate.
Why it works: BOS indicates fresh directional control after liquidity has been cleared by the sweep. Use the breakout candle’s body for your stop to reduce false-break risk.
3) Conservative Entry at New Support/Resistance
Setup: After the sweep, identify the new support (or resistance) created by the reclaimed price area. Wait for a clear candlestick confirmation showing the level holding.
- Confirmation candle: Multiple rejection candles or a strong engulfing candle off the new level.
- Entry: Enter only after a clean, strong confirmation candle (e.g., bullish engulfing on support) or after two consecutive rejections.
- Stop/invalidation: Place stop below the lowest rejection wick or the sweep low if you want extra conservatism. If the level is pierced with a strong close beyond your stop, invalidate.
This is the most conservative choice: you sacrifice some reward for a higher probability of the level holding.
Risk points and invalidation summary
- Reclaim + Retest: Invalidate if retest candle low is taken out, especially if price falls below the sweep low.
- BOS: Invalidate if price closes back inside the prior range and below the breakout candle low.
- Conservative S/R: Invalidate on a decisive candlestick close beyond the support/resistance zone (below support for buys).
Three common mistakes
- Entering on the sweep wick alone without waiting for a reclaim or retest — false-breaks need confirmation.
- Using too small a stop that’s inside normal wick noise — stops should sit beyond the invalidation candlestick’s extreme.
- Confusing a minor spike for a valid BOS — require a full candle close beyond the swing extreme, not just a wick poke.
Post-sweep candlestick checklist
- Was there a clear sweep wick that took out obvious stops? (Yes/No)
- Do you have one of the three setups: reclaim+retest, BOS, or conservative S/R? (Which one?)
- Is there a clean confirmation candle (rejection, engulfing, or strong close)?
- Have you defined the exact invalidation level (candle low/high or sweep low)?
- Is your stop placed beyond that invalidation and sized for sensible R:R?
- Will you only enter after the confirmation candle closes? (Avoid mid-candle entries)
Use these candlestick-only models to turn sweep-induced volatility into disciplined edge. Define your invalidation before entering, keep stops logical, and avoid the three common mistakes to increase the probability of success.
