Break vs Sweep
A high gets taken out. Is the trend continuing or is this a trap? Breaks continue in the direction of the move — the next zone holds. Sweeps reverse — the next zone fails. The difference is determined by what happens at the next level, not at the break itself.
Break (Continuation)
High breaks → Pullback to demand → Demand holds → Higher high prints. The trend continues. Demand being respected confirms the break was genuine.
Sweep (Reversal)
High breaks → Pullback to demand → Demand FAILS → Lower low prints. The break was a trap. Demand failing after a high break confirms the sweep.
The Two-Level Confirmation Framework
Level Gets Taken
A high or low breaks. Don't react yet — the break itself tells you nothing.
Watch the Pullback Zone
Price retraces to the nearest supply or demand. This is where the answer lives.
Zone Holds → Break Confirmed
The zone reacts and price continues in the break direction. Trade accordingly.
Zone Fails → Sweep Confirmed
The zone fails and the opposing side takes control. The break was a liquidity grab.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Break | Sweep |
|---|---|---|
| At the moment of the break | Looks identical | Looks identical |
| Next zone behavior | Holds (demand/supply respected) | Fails (demand/supply breaks) |
| Result | Trend continues (HH or LL) | Trend reverses (CHoCH) |
| Order flow | Same side maintains control | Control shifts to opposite side |
| Common candle signal | Hard close through level | Wick through level (rejection) |
| Liquidity context | Orders fuel continuation | Orders are absorbed at the level |
When the Zone Gets Swept First
Sometimes the pullback zone itself gets swept — price breaks through it before the answer becomes clear. This is where liquidity concepts become essential.
When there's no liquidity in the leg, the zone will either have liquidity built inside it (enticement) or it will be swept entirely. After the zone sweep, evaluate the next level:
Next Level Holds
Last point of supply/demand holds. Confirms the sweep and potential reversal.
Next Level Fails
Last point fails too. The zone failure was just IRL being swept — continuation confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tell at the moment of the break?
Not reliably. Both breaks and sweeps look the same at the moment the level is taken. The difference is revealed by what happens at the next level of supply or demand. That's why the framework requires waiting for the second level.
How long does confirmation take?
It depends on the timeframe. On a 4-hour chart, confirmation might take hours. On a 1-minute chart, minutes. The answer usually comes within 2-3 levels of the initial break.
What if I miss the move while waiting for confirmation?
Better to miss a move than to get trapped on the wrong side. The market creates new setups constantly. There will always be another opportunity — but recovering from a wrong-side trade costs both capital and confidence.
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