So far every key sat directly under a resting finger. This lesson introduces the movement that defines touch typing: reaching to a key that is not home, then snapping straight back.
The new keys
- R — left index finger, one row up from
F. Reach up and slightly left. - U — right index finger, one row up from
J. Reach up and slightly left. - K — right middle finger, already resting on it at home. No reach at all.
Notice that R and U are mirror images: the same movement on opposite hands. If one feels awkward, compare it to the other — the hands should be doing identical work.
Reach and return
The return matters more than the reach. After typing r, the left index finger must come back to F immediately, before the next key is pressed. If it lingers over R, the hand loses its reference point and the next keystroke becomes a guess.
A useful check: after typing a word, look at your hands (this once). All eight fingers should be back on the home row. If they are scattered, you are reaching without returning.
Index fingers do double duty
Your index fingers are the busiest on the keyboard — each one covers two columns. That is why they get the bumps, and why they need the most practice. Keep the other three fingers of each hand planted while the index finger travels; it is tempting to let the whole hand lift, but that defeats the point of home position.
Practising well
Work slowly enough that every return is deliberate. The combination ur is a good self-test: it crosses hands, uses both new reaches, and immediately shows you whether your fingers are coming home between strokes.