Trends/Continuation patterns

Three drives

Three pushes up, each one higher than the last, with a pullback between each.

Continuation patternsBest on 6M, 1Y, 3YAlso called three drives to a high, three pushes

Illustration of the three drives shape. It is a sketch, not real price data.

What it shows

A three-drives pattern has three swing highs that each make a new high, separated by two pullbacks. The pushes and the pullbacks are about similar sizes.

It shows momentum repeating three times. It is used in harmonic charting, which sets strict ratios between the legs.

How we find it

The same code that draws it on your chart follows these steps, with the same result every time.

Find three swing highs, each higher than the one before.
Require the pullbacks between them to be 50% to 80% of the previous push.
Require the second and third pushes to be 110% to 170% of their pullbacks.
Mark the pattern complete at the third high.

Starting values: Pullbacks 50% to 80%; Extensions 110% to 170%. These are proposed and will be tuned on real price data before launch.

How to read it

Each red dot is the top of a drive.
The size of the pullbacks is about the same each time.
The third drive is the last one in our rule.

Status labels you may see

Label	What it means
Third drive complete	The third high is in place.
Pulling back	Price is below the third high.
Invalidated	Price closed above the third high.

What cancels it

A close above the third high cancels the pattern.

What traders check next

Whether the pushes look equal in size and time.
Volume on each drive.
Momentum on each drive, for example RSI.

Limits

Strict ratios make it rare.
It is easy to find after the fact.
A fourth drive can happen.

Try it in forecastviz

Open any ticker and choose Continuation patterns → Three drives in the left menu.
Switch between 6M, 1Y, 3Y to see how the picture changes.
Compare with ABCD pattern and Measured move up on the same chart.

Open on a ticker

Questions

Is there a mirror version?

Yes, three drives down to a low.

What is a drive?

A push in one direction followed by a pullback.