Weight
75g
Thickness
6.65mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
154x154
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Balanced
Defense Plus
Tibhar Defense Plus is a meticulously engineered defensive table tennis blade that delivers a unique blend of control, feel, and surprising offensive potential. Its design prioritizes exceptional braking effects, making it ideal for spin-heavy defensive strokes like chops and blocks. The 5-ply all-wood construction incorporates two layers of balsa wood, contributing to a lightweight feel and excellent feedback. While built for defense, it provides sufficient acceleration for counter-attacks, offering versatility for modern defensive players who value precision and consistency.
The blade features a 5-ply all-wood construction, with two distinct layers of balsa wood integrated into its core. This construction contributes to its lightweight feel and provides significant braking effects for defensive play, while the outer wood layers offer good feedback and feel.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Tibhar Defense Plus is consistently rated as a slow blade, ideal for defensive play. While its official rating is very low, our testing shows it can feel faster when paired with hard hybrid or tension rubbers, especially for amateur players. However, it's generally considered slow for aggressive offensive play, with many noting that powerful shots or play far from the table may lack sufficient speed.
The blade is highly praised for its exceptional control, a key attribute for defensive players. Its design facilitates precise placement, safe blocking, and consistent chopping. Players report a high level of confidence and security when playing with this blade, making it easy to keep the ball on the table.
Users consistently describe the blade as having a dream-like ball feeling and providing good feedback. The balsa wood layers contribute to a softer feel, enhancing control and allowing players to distinctly feel the ball upon contact, which is crucial for precise defensive maneuvers.
As a defensive blade, Tibhar Defense Plus has a medium-low throw angle, facilitating controlled defensive shots and pushes without excessive lift. This helps in keeping the ball low and close to the net.
The emphasis on control and the inclusion of balsa wood suggest a longer dwell time. This allows for greater spin generation on defensive shots like chops and pushes, and provides more time to react and place the ball accurately.
The blade is described as having a lot of flex, which allows for increased dwell time and spin production on slower strokes. This flexibility is beneficial for defensive shots and controlled attacking loops.
While some users mention vibration, this is a subjective experience. Generally, defensive blades aim for moderate vibration to provide feel without being overly harsh. The balsa core might absorb some vibration, while the overall construction ensures a connected feel to the ball.
Based on user reviews and its consistent availability from reputable sources, Tibhar Defense Plus is generally considered to be of good to excellent quality. Its durable construction and long-standing presence in the market suggest reliable manufacturing.
Technology
Tibhar Defense Plus blade is built upon a foundation of specialized wood construction. Its core features two layers of balsa wood, a lightweight and soft material known for its excellent vibration-dampening qualities and contribution to a high level of control. These balsa layers are combined with other carefully selected wood plies, creating a 5-ply construction. This combination is engineered to provide significant braking effects during defensive spins and enhanced feedback for the player. The blade also sports an enlarged head size, which, contrary to typical trends, does not significantly increase its weight due to the balsa core, thus maintaining exceptional maneuverability for a defensive player.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Vladimir Radojicic
Vladimir Radojicic has used Tibhar Defense Plus for an extended period, stating he has used it for almost 11 years. He plays with a defensive style, utilizing long pips on his backhand for blocking and attacking. He highlights the blade's slowness for passive blocking, allowing for precise short placement, and notes that it requires a forward push for longer blocks. He also mentions its ability to attack loose balls due to the balsa layers providing decent power.
Similar Blades
Tibhar Stratus Power Defense
Tibhar Stratus Power Defense is frequently mentioned alongside Defense Plus as another popular defensive blade from Tibhar. Both blades are designed for defensive players and offer high control, though specific comparisons in terms of feel, speed, or unique characteristics are not detailed.
Yasaka Sweden Defensive
Yasaka Sweden Defensive is considered a comparable option for players seeking a defensive-oriented blade, likely offering similar levels of control and feel.