Corrections are very hard to master. Most Elliott traders make money during an impulse pattern and then lose it back during the corrective phase.
An impulse pattern consists of five waves. With the exception of the triangle, corrective patterns consist of 3 waves. An impulse pattern is always followed by a corrective pattern. Corrective patterns can be grouped into two different categories:
· Simple Correction (Zig-Zag)
· Complex Corrections (Flat, Irregular, Triangle)
Simple Correction (Zig-Zag)
There is only one pattern in a simple correction. This pattern is called a Zig-Zag correction. A Zig-Zag correction is a three-wave pattern where the Wave B does not retrace more than 75 percent of Wave A. Wave C will make new lows below the end of Wave A. The Wave A of a Zig-Zag correction always has a five-wave pattern. In the other two types of corrections (Flat and Irregular), Wave A has a three-wave pattern. Thus, if you can identify a five-wave pattern inside Wave A of any correction, you can then expect the correction to turn out as a Zig-Zag formation.
| Wave B |
| Usually 50% of Wave A
|
| Wave C |
| either 1 x Wave A
|
A simple correction is commonly called a Zig-Zag correction.
Complex Corrections (Flat, Irregular, Triangle)
The complex correction group consists of 3 patterns:
· Flat
· Irregular
· Triangle
In a Flat correction, the length of each wave is identical. After a five-wave impulse pattern, the market drops in Wave A. It then rallies in a Wave B to the previous high. Finally, the market drops one last time in Wave C to the previous Wave A low.
Irregular Correction
In this type of correction, Wave B makes a new high. The final Wave C may drop to the beginning of Wave A, or below it.
| Fibonacci Ratios in
|
| Wave B = either 1.15 x
|
| Wave C = either 1.62 x
|
Triangle Correction
In addition to the three-wave correction patterns, there is another pattern that appears time and time again. It is called the Triangle pattern. Unlike other triangle studies, the Elliott Wave Triangle approach designates five sub-waves of a triangle as A, B, C, D and E in sequence.
Triangles, by far, most commonly occur as fourth waves. One can sometimes see a triangle as the Wave B of a three-wave correction. Triangles are very tricky and confusing. One must study the pattern very carefully prior to taking action. Prices tend to shoot out of the triangle formation in a swift thrust.
When triangles occur in the fourth wave, the market thrusts out of the triangle in the same direction as Wave 3. When triangles occur in Wave Bs, the market thrusts out of the triangle in the same direction as the Wave A.
Alteration Rule
If Wave Two is a simple correction, expect
Wave Four to be a complex correction.
If Wave Two is a complex correction,
expect Wave Four to be a simple correction.
