Weight
80g
Thickness
4.2mm
Plies
3-ply
Head Size
162x155
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Head-Heavy
Defence Pro
Lion Defence Pro is a 3-ply all-wood defensive blade crafted for classic defensive play. It emphasizes spin reversal and control through a construction of spruce outer plies and an ayous core, enhanced by a special gluing technique for stability. The blade delivers very slow speed, superb control, and strong damping, making it ideal for players using long pips for chopping and blocking. Its slightly oversized head and robust feel support a passive, disruptive game where precise placement and spin manipulation are paramount.
The blade uses a 3-ply construction with spruce outer veneers and an ayous core. This specific wood combination, along with a special gluing technique, is engineered to provide strong damping, stability, and increased spin generation compared to blades using ayous for the outer plies.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Lion Defence Pro is characterized by its extremely slow speed, making it ideal for defensive players who prioritize control and spin reversal over offensive power. Its pace is comparable to other classic defensive blades but slower than more modern defensive options, perfectly suiting a patient, chopping style.
This blade offers superb control, a key attribute for defensive play. Its slow speed and excellent damping allow for precise placement of chops and blocks, giving players immense confidence in their passive game and enabling consistent, disruptive returns.
The blade offers strong damping, providing a soft, controlled feel in passive play. Some players note it feels stiffer than expected upon contact, but it still delivers a good, communicative sense of the ball, blending cushioning with a touch of firmness.
The slow speed and emphasis on control produce a medium-low throw angle. This trajectory is well-suited for defensive shots, keeping chops low over the net and allowing for precise, controlled blocking and pushing.
The combination of soft wood plies and a thicker ayous core results in a medium to long dwell time. This allows for good spin generation on serves and loops, as well as effective underspin reversal when chopping, giving players extra time to impart their desired effect on the ball.
Lion Defence Pro sits in the medium flexibility range. While it possesses strong damping characteristics, the special gluing technique and spruce outer plies provide a stabilizing degree of stiffness. This balance prevents excessive bending during powerful shots while still allowing for the flex needed in defensive strokes.
Despite its soft wood composition, the blade is reported to be stiffer than expected, with minimal vibrations transmitted to the hand. This contributes to its controlled, solid feel and makes it suitable for players who are sensitive to excessive handle feedback.
The blade's construction, featuring spruce outer plies and a special gluing technique, contributes to its good build quality and increased durability. The materials are noted for their robustness, with spruce being more resistant to dents and scratches than softer woods, ensuring the blade holds up well over time.
Technology
Lion Defence Pro utilizes a specialized gluing technique designed to enhance the blade's hardness and stability, ensuring it is not overly elastic and is more resistant to breakage. A key technological feature is the use of 1.2mm spruce outer veneers instead of ayous. Spruce is chosen for its ability to generate more spin and disruptive effect, as well as its greater robustness and resistance to scratches and dents compared to softer woods, making the blade both performance-oriented and durable.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Lam Siu Hang
Lam Siu Hang is a Hong Kong Team Player sponsored by Lion. While his specific use of the Lion Defence Pro model is not explicitly documented, his association with the brand suggests he utilizes equipment from their defensive lineup, which includes this blade.
Similar Blades
Lion Earth DEF
Lion Defence Pro's speed is often compared to the Lion Earth DEF, with the Defense Pro being noted as slightly more elastic and head-heavy in balance. A key difference is that the Earth DEF incorporates a synthetic fiber core, whereas the Defence Pro maintains a pure all-wood construction for a more traditional feel.
Lion Defence
Lion Defence Pro is the direct successor to the Lion Defence. While the handle design has evolved, the primary upgrade is the use of spruce outer veneers in the Pro version instead of ayous. This change is reported to improve spin generation, disruptive effect, and overall durability, while both blades share a reputation for being very slow with exceptionally high control.