Rectangle Pattern & Price Volume Trend: Secret Tactics for Elite Forex Gains
Price, Volume, and the Mysterious Rectangle: A Trader’s Guide to Hidden Patterns and Proven Tactics
If trading had a “Where’s Waldo?” edition, it would involve tracking mysterious price movements and waiting for that one glorious moment when everything aligns—except instead of a striped shirt, you’re searching for hidden chart patterns. One of these secret gems is the Rectangle Pattern, and when combined with the Price Volume Trend (PVT), it can feel like discovering buried treasure. Buckle up, because we’re about to turn your charts into your very own treasure maps.
The Secret Love Affair Between Price and Volume
Before we get into all things rectangle, let’s address the classic love story of trading: Price meets Volume. They dance, they sway, they sometimes break up—but every now and then, they sync perfectly, and that’s where the magic happens. Enter the Price Volume Trend, or as I like to call it, “PVT” (not to be confused with “private,” because there’s nothing private about your trading losses when the market decides to teach you a lesson).
The Price Volume Trend is like the heartbeat of the market—the thing that tells you if the traders are feeling excited, nervous, or just plain indifferent. Imagine it like this: Volume is the caffeine level in a room full of traders. More volume? Everyone’s jazzed up and ready to make decisions that move the market. Less volume? Everyone’s chilling, and the price action starts looking like a lazy Sunday morning. This interplay is where we find opportunities others miss.
Rectangle Patterns: The Forgotten Couch of Forex
Picture this: You’re rearranging your living room, and you notice an old couch you haven’t thought about in years. That’s the Rectangle Pattern for you—underrated, often overlooked, and packed with hidden potential. In technical analysis, a rectangle pattern appears when the price is trapped between two horizontal levels—it’s like the market itself is sitting on that couch, watching Netflix and refusing to make a big move.
Traders tend to ignore the rectangle because it’s not as glamorous as a head-and-shoulders pattern or as dramatic as a double top. But, let me tell you, underestimating rectangles is like thinking you won’t need that umbrella when you see clouds—it’s a mistake you’ll only make once (or twice if you’re as stubborn as I am).
How to Use Rectangle Patterns and PVT for Next-Level Gains
So, here’s the deal: Price Volume Trend and rectangle patterns aren’t just tools—they’re like a power couple that can tell you when a breakout is about to happen. Here’s how you turn this pair into your trading strategy:
- Spot the Rectangle Pattern: Look for those moments when the price gets stuck between two horizontal lines, forming a kind of box. The longer the price hangs out in this box, the more exciting the potential breakout (or breakdown) is likely to be. Think of it as a pressure cooker—the longer it cooks, the bigger the burst.
- Measure Volume with PVT: While the price is meandering sideways, keep an eye on the Price Volume Trend. If volume starts creeping up, it’s like the market whispering in your ear, “Hey, something big is coming.” A rising PVT during a rectangle consolidation means the market is gearing up for a serious move—get ready to jump in.
- Prepare for Breakout or Breakdown: Don’t play favorites—a rectangle can lead to either a breakout or a breakdown. It’s like that reality TV show where you don’t know who’s getting eliminated next, but you have a pretty good guess. Your job is to have both long and short orders ready at the upper and lower bounds. If the price breaks above, you buy; if it drops below, you sell. It’s simple, effective, and incredibly underrated.
- Confirm with Volume: Use volume to validate the move—a breakout with no volume is like a party with no snacks. It just doesn’t go anywhere. So, always look for that surge in volume to confirm that the price is genuinely on the move.
Why Most Traders Get It Wrong (And How You Can Avoid It)
Now, let’s be honest. Most traders look at a rectangle pattern and immediately get bored. It’s like being handed a vanilla ice cream cone when all your friends have three scoops of triple-chocolate brownie fudge—it just seems bland. But here’s the catch: vanilla can be pretty amazing when you pair it with the right toppings. And in our world, those toppings are volume and patience.
When traders ignore volume, they miss the quiet buildup happening behind the scenes. The Price Volume Trend is the unsung hero here, helping you identify when that vanilla cone is actually hiding a secret center of molten gold (or in our case, a major breakout). To put it simply: PVT + Rectangle = Goldmine—you just need to know how to dig.
Rectangle Breakouts: A Step-by-Step Guide to Smart Trading
- Identify the Setup: Locate a rectangle pattern that’s had at least four touches on its support and resistance lines. This gives you confirmation that the market respects these levels.
- Wait for PVT Confirmation: When you notice PVT building up during this phase, that’s your green light to prep for a potential trade. Remember, volume is the hype—the more hype, the more likely we’re getting a move that counts.
- Plan the Trade: Set stop orders just outside the rectangle’s boundaries. No bias here—be ready to go long or short. Emotions are for romance, not for setting trades.
- Volume Surge Validation: When the price finally breaks out, look for an increase in volume to validate the move. If it’s there, ride it; if it isn’t, be cautious—you might be looking at a false breakout.
The Hidden Gems of Rectangle Patterns
There’s a reason why old-school traders love the rectangle pattern. It’s a visual representation of market indecision—and where there’s indecision, there’s potential. And while we’re on the topic of hidden gems, have you considered how the rectangle might also reveal undervalued opportunities in major currency pairs?
Take EUR/USD, for instance. Recent market trends show that consolidations within a rectangle have led to some pretty impressive breakouts, especially when backed by a solid PVT. According to a recent study by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), consolidation patterns, such as rectangles, are among the most common precursors to high-momentum moves in major pairs. Missing out on these is like skipping leg day at the gym—you’ll regret it eventually.
Expert Insights: Adding Authority to the Equation
James Cramer, a well-respected figure in trading circles, once mentioned, “Volume is the fuel that powers market moves.” Combine that fuel with a clear rectangle pattern, and you’ve got a powerful strategy at your disposal. Another expert, Kathy Lien, often points out that “patterns like rectangles offer clear risk management because of their well-defined boundaries.” And who doesn’t love a strategy where you know exactly where to place your stops?
Ninja-Level Tactics: Insider Moves You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Here’s a secret: the rectangle pattern is also one of the most effective setups for utilizing pending orders. This means, instead of trying to catch the move manually, you set orders that automatically trigger when the price crosses the threshold—a stealthy way to avoid the fake-outs that come with emotional trading. Be the ninja of the Forex market—strike when the opportunity arises, then disappear before anyone knows what happened.
Putting It All Together
Rectangle patterns combined with the Price Volume Trend may not sound like the flashiest of Forex strategies, but that’s precisely their charm. They’re the understated, powerful tool that lets you make strategic moves when everyone else is asleep at the wheel. Remember, trading isn’t about being the loudest in the room; it’s about making the smartest moves quietly.
To sum it all up, here are the elite tactics we’ve covered:
- Identify rectangles during periods of consolidation—the longer the consolidation, the better.
- Use the Price Volume Trend to gauge excitement and validate potential breakouts.
- Prepare for both upward and downward moves; no favoritism allowed.
- Confirm breakouts with a volume surge to avoid false signals.
- Use pending orders to become the stealth trader that capitalizes on true market indecision.
And don’t forget—if you’re looking to sharpen these skills, join the StarseedFX community for exclusive tools, real-time updates, and a trading plan that puts your strategies in the fast lane. After all, no one ever said you had to trade alone.
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Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated
PLEASE NOTE: This is not trading advice. It is educational content. Markets are influenced by numerous factors, and their reactions can vary each time.

Anne Durrell & Mo
About the Author
Anne Durrell (aka Anne Abouzeid), a former teacher, has a unique talent for transforming complex Forex concepts into something easy, accessible, and even fun. With a blend of humor and in-depth market insight, Anne makes learning about Forex both enlightening and entertaining. She began her trading journey alongside her husband, Mohamed Abouzeid, and they have now been trading full-time for over 12 years.
Anne loves writing and sharing her expertise. For those new to trading, she provides a variety of free forex courses on StarseedFX. If you enjoy the content and want to support her work, consider joining The StarseedFX Community, where you will get daily market insights and trading alerts.
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