If anyone ever read the Eragon series I'd compare force barriers to the mind barriers. The level of resistance between a passive barrier and a combative one where the user is prepared for an attack is different.
It's arguable that Savage was only able to break through Ventress's and Dooku's barriers due to a combination of a rage-force amp and distraction.
TCW movie Dooku vs Anakin; Anakin landed a force push on an unsuspecting Dooku, yet Dooku's passive barriers were strong enough to where he could resist the attack and redirect as the superior force user.
It's a combination of vulnerability and force strength