A sharp move above resistance during a distribution phase designed to trap buyers before the markdown phase begins. The bearish equivalent of a spring.
Upthrust (Wyckoff) is a core Smart Money Concepts (SMC) building block. Institutional desks leave this footprint on the chart — recognising it is what gives SMC traders their edge over retail.
The upthrust above the distribution range trapped late buyers before price dropped 250 pips.
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