Roots 7 Defensive Control

Weight

87.5g

Thickness

6mm

Plies

3-ply

Head Size

162x156

Handles

FL / ST

Material

AllWood

Head Shape

Standard

Balance

Head-Heavy

Soulspin

Roots 7 Defensive Control

Germany

Soulspin Roots 7 Defensive Control is a 3-ply all-wood blade built for defensive specialists. Its thick spruce outer veneers and Kiri core create an exceptionally soft feel with long dwell time, prioritizing precise placement and heavy spin generation. The large defensive head size offers a forgiving sweet spot ideal for blocking and chopping, while the core provides enough basic speed for opportunistic attacks. This German-made blade delivers maximum control and a comfortable, dampened playing experience.

3-Ply Construction

This 3-ply construction uses thick spruce outer veneers to maximize softness and dwell time, combined with a Kiri core that provides essential baseline speed. The design focuses on maximizing control, spin, and a forgiving playing experience.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
4.5

Roots 7 Defensive Control is designed for defense, resulting in a slower ball response. The soft spruce outer veneers prioritize control over raw power. However, the Kiri core provides a sufficient foundational speed for initiating attacks when the opportunity arises, making it capable but not fast.

Control
9.9

Control is the defining characteristic of this blade. Its soft construction, exceptionally long dwell time, and large sweet spot make guiding the ball with accuracy remarkably easy. It is ideally suited for blocking, chopping, and placing the ball exactly where you want it.

Feel
Soft
SoftHard

The thick spruce outer veneers create a notably soft and sensitive feel upon ball contact. This provides excellent tactile feedback, enhancing a player's ability to manipulate spin and placement with finesse.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

Despite its control-oriented nature, the combination of soft wood and long dwell time typically produces a medium-high throw angle. This is beneficial for looping and lifting the ball over the net with plenty of spin.

Dwell Time
9.5

The soft wood construction allows the ball to stay on the racket face for an extended period. This long dwell time is a critical feature for generating heavy spin and maintaining supreme control during defensive strokes.

Flexibility
8.0

The spruce outer veneers provide significant elasticity, making the blade quite flexible. This flexibility contributes directly to the soft feel and long dwell time, aiding in spin generation and absorbing incoming power effectively.

Vibration
3.0

The soft all-wood composition results in very low vibration feedback, contributing to a dampened, comfortable feel. This minimizes hand shock and enhances control, making it suitable for long playing sessions.

Quality
9.0

Soulspin is renowned for high-quality, handcrafted blades made in Germany. The Roots 7 Defensive Control benefits from this meticulous manufacturing process, ensuring excellent durability, consistent performance, and fine attention to detail in its finish.

Technology

Soulspin Roots 7 Defensive Control utilizes a traditional 3-ply all-wood construction where material selection is the key technology. It employs thick, high-mountain spruce for the outer veneers and a Kiri wood core. This specific combination is chosen for its inherent softness, elasticity, and ability to create long ball contact time—all critical traits for defensive play. Soulspin emphasizes handcrafted quality in their German workshop, allowing for customization of handle shapes and blade sizes to suit individual preferences.

Similar Blades

Nittaku Meister Holz Sieben

Players report this as a high-quality all-wood blade known for being very spinny with good control for counters and mid-distance play. It shares a similar feel profile to some Soulspin models and represents a premium defensive or all-round wood option.

Stiga Defensive Pro

This is a well-regarded blade in the defensive category, emphasizing control, spin, and maneuverability. While its construction differs, it serves a similar purpose for players seeking a blade focused on long dwell time and defensive stability.