Is a long negative line followed by a small positive line during a decline a decline relay?

A long red candle followed by a small green candle in crypto often signals a bearish continuation, not a reversal.

Jun 26, 2025 at 12:21 am

Understanding Candlestick Patterns in Cryptocurrency Trading

In the realm of cryptocurrency trading, candlestick patterns play a crucial role in analyzing price movements. These visual representations help traders identify potential reversals, continuations, or consolidation phases. One such pattern that often appears during downtrends is a long negative line followed by a small positive line. This combination raises questions among traders about its implications and whether it signals a continuation of the decline.

Candlesticks are composed of bodies and shadows (or wicks). A long negative line indicates strong selling pressure, with the closing price significantly lower than the opening price. When this is immediately followed by a smaller positive candle, where the close is slightly higher than the open but doesn't cover the previous candle’s range, it creates a visually distinct formation.

What Is a Decline Relay Pattern?

A decline relay pattern typically refers to a bearish continuation structure where sellers take control after a brief pause in the downtrend. It suggests that despite short-term buying interest, the momentum remains on the sell side. This pattern usually forms within a broader downtrend and consists of a large bearish candle followed by one or more smaller candles that fail to reverse the prior move.

The key feature of this pattern is the lack of bullish conviction. The small positive candle following a large red one may represent temporary profit-taking or minor accumulation, but it does not indicate a reversal. Instead, it often serves as a rest period before the next leg down.

Traders should be cautious not to interpret this as a sign of strength unless there's a clear breakout above resistance levels or a significant increase in volume accompanying the small green candle.

Analyzing the Long Negative Line Followed by a Small Positive Line

Let’s dissect this specific setup step-by-step:

• The initial long negative line reflects aggressive selling, possibly triggered by news events, technical breakdowns, or market sentiment shifts.
• The subsequent small positive line opens lower than the previous close and manages to close slightly higher, forming a small green body.
• Despite this slight recovery, the small green candle remains entirely within the range of the prior candle, indicating no meaningful change in trend.

This pattern is sometimes referred to as a bearish continuation signal. In crypto markets, where volatility is high and trends can persist for extended periods, such formations are frequently observed during strong downtrends.

It’s important to note that while this setup may hint at continued weakness, confirmation is needed. Traders should look for the next candle to close below the low of the small green candle to validate the continuation.

How to Trade the Decline Relay Pattern in Crypto Markets

If you're considering entering a trade based on this pattern, here’s how to approach it methodically:

• Identify the context: Ensure the pattern occurs within a confirmed downtrend. Look at moving averages like the 50-day and 200-day EMA to confirm the bearish bias.
• Look for volume confirmation: During the long negative line, volume should be noticeably higher. On the small positive line, volume tends to be lighter, suggesting lack of buying interest.
• Wait for a follow-through candle: Don’t act immediately after the small green candle. Wait for the next candle to close below its low to confirm the pattern’s validity.
• Place your entry: Enter a short position once the follow-through candle closes below the small green candle’s low.
• Set stop-loss: Place a stop-loss just above the high of the small green candle to limit risk.
• Target exit points: Use Fibonacci retracement levels or previous support zones to determine potential downside targets.

Using these steps can help traders avoid false signals and improve their probability of success when dealing with decline relay patterns in cryptocurrency charts.

Common Misinterpretations of the Pattern

One common mistake among novice traders is interpreting the small positive candle as a reversal signal. However, without a strong follow-up rally, this assumption can lead to losses. The small green candle must be viewed in context — if it fails to break key resistance or form a bullish engulfing pattern, it likely represents only a temporary pause.

Another misinterpretation involves ignoring volume. If the small positive candle comes on rising volume, it might suggest accumulation is taking place. But in most cases, especially during strong downtrends, volume remains low during these pauses, reinforcing the idea of a decline relay rather than a reversal.

Additionally, some traders attempt to enter too early, without waiting for the follow-through candle. This increases the likelihood of being caught in a fakeout or a sideways consolidation phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the decline relay pattern appear in uptrends?

A: While the decline relay is primarily a bearish continuation pattern, similar structures can appear in uptrends. In such cases, they are known as "bull flag" or "upward relay" patterns, signaling a pause before the uptrend resumes.

Q: How reliable is this pattern in cryptocurrency compared to traditional markets?

A: Due to the high volatility and 24/7 nature of crypto markets, candlestick patterns like the decline relay tend to be less consistent than in traditional markets. However, when combined with volume and other indicators, they can still provide valuable insights.

Q: What timeframes work best for identifying this pattern?

A: The decline relay pattern is most effective on higher timeframes like the 4-hour or daily charts. Lower timeframes may produce too many false signals due to increased noise and rapid price swings.

Q: Are there any indicators that complement the decline relay pattern well?

A: Yes, combining the pattern with tools like the RSI (Relative Strength Index), MACD, or Bollinger Bands can enhance its reliability. For instance, if RSI shows bearish divergence during the pattern formation, it strengthens the case for a continuation of the downtrend.