What it means
A spring is a false breakdown below the support of a Wyckoff accumulation range — price wicks below the SC/ST low, takes out the stops parked below, and immediately reverses back into the range. Typically marks the absolute low of the accumulation phase. The combination of liquidity sweep + immediate reversal is the highest-conviction Wyckoff long entry, often producing 5-15% rallies within 2-4 weeks.
Why it matters
Springs are where the absolute bottom of an accumulation typically forms. The mechanism is observable: stops cluster just below an obvious support level, institutional flow accumulates by sweeping those stops, then immediately bids price back into the range. Recognizing springs lets you enter at the cheapest possible price with the tightest possible stop — best risk-reward of any major bottom signal.
How to use it
Confirm prior accumulation structure (PS, SC, AR, ST established). Watch the SC/ST low — a wick BELOW it that closes back ABOVE the low within 1-3 sessions = spring. Entry on the close back inside the range; stop just below the spring extreme. Target = top of accumulation range (the AR high), then beyond if SOS confirms.
SPX March 2020 COVID bottom: classic spring. SC at 2280 on March 18, AR rally to 2630 by March 25, ST retest to 2447 on March 23, spring wick to 2191 on March 23 (taking out the SC stops below 2280), close back at 2447, sharp recovery to 2790 by April 9. The spring + immediate recovery marked the absolute bottom.
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