Why defoliate at all???
It is not a necessary "technique" when growing cannabis and is best avoided at all costs, unless there are massive problems controlling humidity during flowering.
ALL of the plants energy to grow and thrive is made by/in the leaves.
Less leaves = less energy being made = less potential growth.
Just because everyone else is doing it, does not make it right.........they are allowed to be wrong!
The buds are relying on the leaves to make the energy that they need to grow.............less leaves......smaller buds.