When the ball is lost to the opponents the team must as quickly as possible shift from attack to defense and a fast retreat must be performed.
The fast retreat can be divided into 4 forms.

1. Home and help the goalkeeper
If the opponents have a efficient fast break there is only one thing to do - try to catch up and distract the attacking player with the ball the most (legally of course)

Even if the defending team realizes that they are unable to catch up with the attacking team it is important that they come back to their defense area, as it has been seen that the goalkeeper despite all odds takes the shot. Then it is really depressing if the goalkeeper is still alone with the attackers and the ball bounces back. Then the attackers get a new chance. A goalkeeper is really alone during a successful fast break, and when she realize that her team-mates doesn't bother to use some energy the come to her aid it is difficult to keep up the spirit - especially if there are more attacking players in front of her than defenders.

2. Ordinary retreat
Is used then the ball after an attack passes outside the goal or in some other way cannot be brought into play at once.

All players run quickly to their defense positions. The retreating players are all oriented of the ball's position as well as their opponent's position when they pass the center line - look behind and even run sideway or backwards. Even if there is no immediate danger of a fast break it could happen that the attackers come forward very fast and the retreat is apathetic and no one looks back, there can be a surprise. This goes when a goal is scored as well. The new rules allow the team to start an attack from the centerline very fast.

3. Retreat with focus to stop a fast break
Is used if the opponents are in an immediate control of the ball.

The retreat is divided into 3 steps:

Step 1 - Pressure on the ball holder
The pressure is made by that player who is closest to the ball holding player, while the other players covers the remaining attacking players (see step 2). The defender does not have to check the ball holding player, but try to force a bad pass. By not checking the player there is a possibility to conquer the ball. By checking it only results in a free throw. If the goalkeeper has the ball the nearest player must try to make a pass as difficult as possible - typically by blocking the view and with arms and legs (however don't kick after the ball) try to make a pass difficult. When the ball is passed the player must as quickly as possible retreat to own defense, but - while doing this - try to hamper any ball holding opponents on the way back. But only if the retreating player is close to a ball holding player.   


Step 2 - Actual retreat
If the wings are the attacking players, the backcourt players cover these in order to block a long pass. If the backcourt players are behind the wings they must try to run behind then in such a way, that they are positioned between the wing and the ball holding player. They must look at the wing, and when the wing raise her arms to catch the ball the defender must raise her arms high. By doing this there is a possibility that the ball will hit the raised arms. If the backcourt players are in front of the wings they must seek their defending line but be ready to move forward and check the wings, if they receives the ball. The other defending players seeks their defending line as quickly as possible.

Step 3 - Organization
Here the defenders arrives to their defending line and will often be on a position other than their normal. Now it is a question of co-operation in order to make an effective defense and communication between the defenders are very important.  The first arriving players take position in the middle of the defense line as the attackers normally will seek the best shooting position - the center. When the rest of the defense arrives they take up a position to each side of the middle. When the attack stops and the basic play starts they can seek their normal position without opening the defense. That means that they change position if the game is stopped or the ball is on the opposite side.


4. Ordinary fast retreat defense

Is used if the opponents have immediate control of the ball, but don't have an effective fast break. All players cover an opponent while retreating.

Return defense is not to be used each time a ball is lost. It must be a surprise for the opponents because they don't expect such an act. By this there will be some confusion and this may result that they loose the ball. If often repeated the opponents will be prepared and can take advantage of it.

Retreat defense is divided into 3 steps:

Step 1 - Press on the ball holder
This is performed as mentioned under Retreat with focus to stop a fast break Step 1
If the ball is passed, the defending player seeks the receiver of the ball, as she hardly will be covered by another defender and continues covering her in the same way.

Step 2 - Retreat with defense
Here the 2 backcourt must cover the 2 wings and try to prevent that they receive a long pass. Center backcourt follows the opponent's Circle Runner or CB, the defending CR cover the opponent's CR or CB and the wings cover the attacking backcourts. It might be situations where the defenders must choose different and the anticipative abilities of the team must be high. The main object is that all attackers are covered against a pass or a free running forward.

We are talking about man-to-man defense and therefore a normal retreat defense cannot be performed if for instance the defending wing is lying on the floor after an attempt to shoot.

Step3 - Organizing
This is performed in the same way as described under Fast retreat with focus to stop the fast break - Step 3