Blocking body shots?

[TommyHearns]

I have a lot of boxing experience and now in Muay Thai sparring with much taller opponents its harder to block bodyshots coz the hands must be so high to avoid attacks. I have really tender ribs and body(ive trained them extremely hard and long they are still really vulnerable) and i watch guys in K-1 like McDonald and Bonjasky and im like wow they leave their entire body open when they put their hands up. I need some way to protect my body better in Muay Thai.

 

[aries]

Dip lower at the knees? Not I ideal I guess with high kicks flying at your head but its either that or drop your hands. Turn with the shot as well to lessen the impact i.e. roll with it.

 

[xthrasherx]

my stance is more traditional thai stance. both hands in front of my face, facing towards my opponent, left in front, right behind it just right below my eye (im a righty) and my elbows are kind of tucked to where its easy to block a body shot. just tuck your elbows. my hands facing the opponent makes it easy to deflect straight punches.

 

[farmboy]

Sounds similar too my preferred stance. Actually, mine is fairly similar to a Western boxing stance. Like xthrasherx said, elbows stay close to the body (tucked) to help block body shots.