Unit 4 · Chart Patterns

Head & Shoulders

Three peaks, a neckline, and a fading heartbeat.

The shape

Left shoulder, higher head, right shoulder about level with the left. The valleys between them draw the neckline. It is a double top with a middle attempt that overstayed its welcome.

Why it forms

Each rally after the head is weaker — buyers keep showing up with less money. The neckline break is the moment the market admits it.

The inverse twin

Upside-down after a downtrend: three troughs, a neckline across the peaks, and a break up as the buy trigger.

Quick check

The classic H&S entry is…
  • A close below the neckline
  • The top of the head
  • The left shoulder high
  • The first valley

The neckline is the verdict line. Everything before the break is a suspect lineup, not a conviction.

Play the interactive version →

This lesson is part of the free learning path at /academy/ — progress, XP and boss games live there.

Educational content only — not financial advice.