Technical Analysis
The Bullish 3-Drive Pattern (3-drives to a bottom)
What is the Bullish 3-Drive Pattern?
- The Bullish 3-Drive Pattern (3-drives to a bottom)
- Rare pattern where price and time symmetry are key
- Should be easily identified, or “jump out” at you
- Formed by 3 consecutive symmetrical valleys
- Contains two connecting (intertwined) bullish ABCD patterns
- Also contains bullish butterfly pattern (completing at 3rd drive)
Why is the Bullish 3-Drive Pattern important? include the U.S. Dollar (USD).
- Suggests market potentially at its most bearish—higher probability for market reversal
- Typically offers excellent risk/reward ratio
- Pattern failure suggest potentially strong bearish continuation move may be in progress
So how do I find it?
First, it’s very important to remember not to “force” a 3-drive pattern. Price as well as time symmetry are key, so it’s something that should really stands out as three distinct, symmetrical drives to a bottom. Remember, the 3-drive is a far rarer pattern than a butterfly or Gartley (especially on longer timeframes), and it should be something that jumps out at you.

Bearish 3-Drive Pattern Rules (sell at 3rd drive)
- Symmetry is the key to this pattern
- Drives 2 and 3 should be 127.2% or 161.8% extensions of the A and C retracements
- The A and C retracements will typically be 61.8% or 78.6% of the previous drive.
- In strongly trending markets these retracements may be 38.2% or 50%.
- Time of A and C retracements should be symmetrical. Same goes for extensions (2nd & 3rd drives to top)
- A large price gap at anytime may be a sign that the pattern is wrong. Traders should wait for further confirmation that a top is in progress.
Example 1 – (GBP/USD, 1hr) …taken around Feb 7-14th 2007

Example 2 – (GBP/USD, 1hr) …taken around Feb 7-14th 2007
