Lateral Stretch
A lateral stretch refers to an extension of the index finger toward the center of the keyboard while the middle finger stays stationary, or an extension of the pinky finger toward the side of the keyboard while the ring finger stays stationary.
Some people find this motion uncomfortable and seek a keyboard layout that minimizes it.
On Colemak, for example, a common complaint is that typing “the,” the most common word in English, requires the index finger to stretch toward the h at the same time the middle finger reaches for e:
~`
!1
@2
#3
$4
%5
^6
&7
*8
(9
)0
_-
+=
Q
W
F
P
G
J
L
U
Y
:;
{[
}]
|\
A
R
S
T
D
H
N
E
I
O
"'
Z
X
C
V
B
K
M
<,
>.
?/
However, not all people agree that minimizing lateral stretches should be prioritized. Pianists and guitarists have no trouble abducting and adducting their fingers in all sorts of different ways.