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How we identify trend continuation setups

This guide summarises the five-step process we teach in the Trend Continuation Masterclass. Use it as a pre-enrolment reference or a checklist during your own chart review sessions.

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Hand-drawn trend lines and annotations on a printed candlestick chart

Five steps before you enter

  1. Confirm the trend is established

    Look for a sequence of higher highs and higher lows (uptrend) or lower highs and lower lows (downtrend) on your working timeframe. A single strong impulse leg is not enough — you need at least two connected swings that define direction. If price is chopping sideways with overlapping bars, there is no trend to continue.

  2. Identify the pause or pullback

    Continuation setups form during orderly pauses: bull flags, bear flags, pennants, shallow pullbacks to a rising moving average, or horizontal consolidations beneath resistance. The pause should show reduced range and, ideally, declining volume compared to the impulse leg.

  3. Mark the invalidation level

    Before considering entry, mark where the setup fails. For a bull flag, that is typically below the flag low or the last higher low of the trend. If price closes beyond this level, the continuation thesis is invalid — exit the idea, do not move the stop to "give it room."

  4. Wait for the trigger

    Our preferred trigger is a breakout of the consolidation boundary followed by a retest that holds. Entering on the initial breakout candle often produces poor risk-reward because the stop must sit far below structure. The retest entry lets you place a tighter stop with the same target.

  5. Size the position and define the target

    Calculate position size so that a stop at the invalidation level risks no more than your predetermined account percentage. Target the measured move (flag pole height projected from breakout) or the next structural resistance — whichever is closer and still offers acceptable reward relative to risk.

Three setup types we drill most often

Bull and bear flags

Parallel channel consolidation against the trend direction. Entry on upper boundary break (bull) or lower boundary break (bear) with retest confirmation. Stop beyond the opposite channel line.

Shallow pullbacks

Retracement to 38–50% of the prior impulse leg within a trend. Entry when price shows rejection at the retracement zone — pin bar, engulfing candle, or break of a minor counter-trend line.

Breakout retests

Price breaks a horizontal level that capped several prior highs, pulls back to that level, and holds. Entry on the hold; stop below the retest low. Common on index futures and large-cap equities.

Want instructor feedback on your markup?

This guide is a starting point. The masterclass adds live debate, marked chart exercises, and personalised review of your continuation reads.

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