Module 3 · Sweeps & Application
Liquidity Sweeps & Stop Runs
Spiking through a thin void to grab stops, then reversing.
In this lesson you'll
- Define a liquidity sweep / stop run
- See the heatmap 'void' that reveals it
- Distinguish a sweep from a genuine breakout
The heatmap reveals the three-stage mechanic a price chart can't:
- Liquidity withdrawal (the void): resting liquidity at the level fades first, leaving the book thin near the level — a dark void the heatmap exposes.
- The spike: price punches a few ticks through the thin area; triggered stops fuel the move. In a pure sweep, the breakout itself shows few trade dots (little real participation).
- Absorption & reversal: larger players absorb the stop flood (big dots at the turning point) and price reverses sharply.
Key takeaways
- A sweep spikes through an obvious level to grab clustered stops, then reverses.
- Stage 1 is a liquidity void (orders pulled) the heatmap exposes.
- Sweep = through a void with sparse dots; real breakout = consumes liquidity (many dots).
- Look for big absorbing dots at the turn to confirm the reversal.
Check your understanding
Pick an answer to reveal instant feedback. Answer every question to complete the lesson.
Why that's off: Consuming liquidity describes a real breakout, not a sweep.
Why that's off: A genuine breakout shows real volume; the sweep is the thin one.
Why that's off: The void + sparse dots is the key tell.
A sweep is preceded by liquidity being pulled (a void) and shows little real participation through it, then reverses. A real breakout trades into and consumes liquidity (many dots).
Why that's off: A vanishing void, not a new wall, precedes the spike.
Why that's off: The close comes after the reversal, not first.
Why that's off: An iceberg absorbs; a sweep exploits a void.
Before the spike, resting liquidity at the target level is withdrawn, leaving a thin void that price can punch through to reach the stops. The heatmap shows this before it happens.
Educational content only. Nothing here is financial or trading advice. Order-flow and options patterns shift probabilities; they never guarantee outcomes.