Crouch

Overview
Appearing alongside Grinding in Sonic Adventure 2, Crouching, along with balancing on the rail is utilized to maximize speed. Speed characters can do it at any time on a rail, and will simply assume a lower position.

Crouching is significantly changed in Sonic Heroes. Characters will start their crouch by spinning on top of the rail into a new position, either turning to face left from a right-facing position or turning around to have their backs to the direction the character is moving. The turn itself grants a small boost of speed, and can be done repeatedly. Holding the action button will still maintain the crouch position and allow for faster rail travel. Fly Formation characters have a unique version when on rails and holding their teammates. They will lean forward with the bottom character on the rail and use their flight to accelerate along the rail.

In Shadow the Hedgehog, Shadow is the only character that can Grind. The 180° spin is now a hop above the rail. Doing so continues to grant a boost of speed, however the crouch position is assumed until the player presses the button again, and does not need to be actively maintained. Staying in this position no longer has any effect on acceleration or maximum speed.

In Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colors, and Sonic Generations, Sonic can hold the action button to lower into a crouch, and releasing it will cause him to hop and turn 180°.