Hobbies And Interests
Grinding
Jumping onto an edge and balancing yourself on your skateboard as you slide down the surface is known as "grinding." This is done by pressing and holding the Triangle button on the PS2 controller or the Y button on the Xbox controllers. By pressing the d-pad in different directions, you can change the type of grind you perform. For example, by pressing the Triangle button plus up on the d-pad, you will do a nose grind, where only the front of your board is touching the rail or wall. On the other hand, if you press Triangle and down on the d-pad, you will do a heel grind, where only the back end of the board is touching the surface. All grinding tricks are available in "Classic Mode" and "Story Mode."
Flips
A flip trick occurs when you jump and flip your skateboard with your feet. This is performed by jumping (X on the PS2; A on the Xbox and Xbox 360) and then pressing the Square button (X on Xbox systems) and any direction on the d-pad. Double and triple flips are executed by double or triple tapping the Square button. For example, you can combine a nose flip and a heel flip in quick succession by pressing the Square button and up on the d-pad and then immediately pressing the Square button plus down on the d-pad. All flip tricks are available in both "Classic Mode" and "Story Mode."
Grabs
Grab tricks occur when you jump with your skateboard and hold on to it with one hand. To perform grab tricks, jump with the X button and then press the Circle button (B on Xbox systems) while pressing any direction on the d-pad. As with all the moves in "American Wasteland," the direction you press on the d-pad changes the style of the trick. For example, pressing Circle plus left on the d-pad will allow you to grab the middle of the board. These tricks can also be doubled or tripled; for example, if you jump and then press Circle plus left and then immediately press Circle plus right on the d-pad, you will do both grabs, one after the other. This multiplies your points by two or three, depending on how many grab tricks you perform in the air. All grab tricks are available in "Story Mode" and "Classic Mode."
Lip Tricks
A lip trick occurs when you balance an edge of your skateboard along the edge of a ramp, half-pipe or quarter-pipe. When you are about to launch off of a surface, quickly press the Circle button (B on Xbox systems) and down at the same time. You then must balance yourself on the lip in a similar way as performing a manual. Unlike the other tricks where you can perform different variations depending on the direction you press, lip tricks only come in one variation. Lip tricks are available in "Story" and "Classic Mode."
Manual
A manual occurs when you balance yourself on only one side of your skateboard. This is a great way to connect tricks and accumulate more combo points. To perform a manual, quickly press up and then down, or down and then up. You will balance on only one side of the skateboard. Under your character, the game will display a semi-circle with an arrow in the middle. The longer you keep the arrow in the center, the more points you can accumulate. Pressing up and then down performs a Nose Manual, while pressing down and then up performs a Heel Manual. Although the manual is available in "Classic Mode," you must unlock this trick in "Story Mode" by completing the "Kickflip Whofleck" goal in Hollywood.
Board Whacking/Throwing
Board whacking, a new addition to the Tony Hawk series, is a simple way to gain points. Get off of your board and press the Circle button (B on Xbox systems). Your skater will swing his board at surrounding objects, sometimes offering points for your efforts. To throw the board, press the Square button (X on Xbox systems) when standing off of your board. Board whacking and throwing are available in both game modes.