A tactical play executed by two players, often forwards, as they skate through the offensive zone. The play involves the players crossing paths with each other while in motion to confuse defenders and create scoring opportunities. The success of a criss-cross play relies on the timing and coordination between the two players involved. They must execute the maneuver seamlessly to catch defenders off guard. The primary objective of a criss-cross is to distract or confuse the opposing defensemen and create open lanes for a shot on goal or a passing opportunity. As the two players approach each other, they skate diagonally across their paths, effectively swapping positions on the ice. One player moves behind the other. The criss-cross is designed to deceive defenders by making it unclear which player has the puck and which one is the potential shooter or passer. This confusion can lead to defenders making errors in coverage.
