Absorption and exhaustion: reading reversals on the heatmap

Anticipating a reversal isn't guessing: it's reading absorption and exhaustion on the heatmap.

Absorption

When aggressive flow hits a level but large passive orders soak it all up without giving way, price stops moving despite the volume. Aggression burns out: a reversal is likely.

Exhaustion

A volume climax that no longer moves price signals the last buyers (or sellers) entered at the worst moment. Paired with delta and CVD, it's a powerful signal.

Combining them

• Spot absorption on the heatmap.
• Confirm exhaustion with the footprint and a delta divergence.
• Frame it around the POC.

For the full method, read our order flow and heatmap trading guides.