DBR, RBR, RBD & DBD Patterns
Naming logic
The name describes price's journey in three steps: what it was doing before the base (Drop or Rally), the Base, and what it did after (Rally or Drop). Two letters and a B: DBR = Drop → Base → Rally.
DBR — Drop-Base-Rally (reversal demand)
Price was falling (downtrend or pullback), paused in a small base, then exploded up. This is a reversal demand zone — it turns price direction from down to up. It is the classic 'bounce off a demand zone' picture.
RBR — Rally-Base-Rally (continuation demand)
Price was already rising, paused in a small base (a brief rest), then continued rising. This is a continuation demand zone — it refuels an existing uptrend. RBR zones in an uptrend are often the highest-quality setups because the trend and zone direction agree.
RBD — Rally-Base-Drop (reversal supply)
Price was rising, paused in a small base, then dropped explosively. A reversal supply zone — it turns price from up to down. Classic 'rejection at a supply zone'.
DBD — Drop-Base-Drop (continuation supply)
Price was already falling, paused briefly, then continued falling. A continuation supply zone in a downtrend. Like RBR on the demand side, DBD zones in a downtrend carry extra tailwind.
Continuation zones carry more weight
Trend-aligned continuation zones (RBR in uptrend, DBD in downtrend) are generally preferred for study because the big-picture momentum supports the reaction. Reversal zones (DBR, RBD) fight the trend so need extra confirmation.
Practice checklist
- Label the leg-in direction (Drop or Rally)
- Label the leg-out direction (Rally or Drop)
- Name the pattern: DBR / RBR / RBD / DBD
- Determine reversal (DBR/RBD) vs continuation (RBR/DBD)
- In the current trend, prefer continuation-direction zones
Mistakes to avoid
- Mixing up reversal and continuation zones — they have different risk profiles
- Forgetting that the leg-OUT direction determines demand (Rally) vs supply (Drop)
- Trying to trade reversal zones without extra confirmation filters