The Head Fake

In his book, Bollinger on Bollinger Bands, John Bollinger advises chartists to beware of the “head fake.” This occurs when prices break a band, then suddenly reverse and move the other way, similar to a bull or bear trap. A bullish head fake starts when Bollinger Bands contract and prices break above the upper band. This bullish signal does not last long because prices quickly move back below the upper band and proceed to break the lower band. A bearish head fake starts when Bollinger Bands contract and prices break below the lower band. This bearish signal does not last long because prices quickly move back above the lower band and proceed to break the upper band.

Chart 7 - Bollinger Band Squeeze

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