University of Hawai'i punter Jeremy Shibata is learning to deal with rejection.

He is, in fact, the focus of a daily football drill that is mixture of chaos and freshman hazing.

"It's a good experience for me," said Shibata, a freshman from Iowa, of UH's punt-blocking drill. "If I can handle this, I can handle other situations."

Under Jerry Glanville, who coordinates the defense and special teams, the Warriors will place a greater emphasis on blocking punts this season. For about 15 minutes each practice, up to nine blitzers are sent Shibata's way on every punt attempt. Sometimes the punt-blockers will strike the ball, sometimes they will strike Shibata. Often, Shibata resembles the guy going the wrong way during a fire drill.

"That comes with the job," Shibata said of the knockdowns. "You have to learn to deal with it. Everything helps me in every situation. Good or bad, it'll help me be a better punter and a better athlete. If I can perform in that type of situation, the guys can trust me to go on the field and do it for them."

Glanville said the Warriors still will drop back blockers to set up punt returns. Introducing the punt-blocking element is an extension of the defense's aggressive attitude. Glanville and UH coach June Jones shared that approach when they worked together in the past.

"We always had aggressive defenses, and we wanted that temperament to permeate to special teams," Glanville said. "Our team, inside, wants to be aggressive. That's inside every guy out here. For the majority, it's in their genetic makeup. We want to use that."

Safety Lamar Broadway, cornerback Omega Hogan, nickelback Ryan Keomaka and linebacker Brad Kalilimoku are the top candidates to block punts.

"Everybody is getting a chance now," said Broadway, who has no previous experience as a punt-blocker. "We're putting in people to see who can do what."

Kalilimoku, expected to start at inside linebacker, said he is learning how to sneak between blockers.

"You have to run hard and make yourself skinny," Kalilimoku said. "I watch the punter's leg. When he lifts it, that's where I'm going."

Keomaka said he follows this routine: "Open your eyes big, hands out, see the football, block it and don't hit the punter."

Hogan said: "It takes the want-to mentality. You have to get down there and go for it. ... You can't worry about your health. You can't be selfish. And you have to know your plays. You can't do it full speed unless you know your plays."

Glanville said it is possible to aggressively go after the punter without sacrificing the punt return. He noted that in 1974, as the Detroit Lions' special teams coordinator, Dick Jauron led the National Football Conference in punt-return average (16.8 yards).

"You can lead both (categories) in one year," Glanville said.

TRADING PLACES

In the first two weeks of training camp, left guard Samson Satele has practiced at center.

Yesterday, center Derek Fa'avi began his own experiment of practicing at left guard. Fa'avi also worked out at right guard.

"I'm trying to see how it goes," said Fa'avi, a fifth-year senior who has started 25 UH games at center.

In the first half of the 2002 season, Fa'avi played guard. "I didn't feel as comfortable there as I do at center," he said.

He was the starting center for the final three games of the 2002 season.

Another fifth-year senior, Kila Kamakawiwo'ole, is adjusting to his move from defensive end to outside linebacker, a transition that began during spring practice. In yesterday's 11-on-11 drills, he had a sack and intercepted Tyler Graunke's screen pass for a touchdown.

Moving to linebacker has doubled Kamakawiwo'ole's workload. He is used either as a pass-rusher or pass defender.

"I'm getting used to it," he said. "I pretty much know all of the plays."

MOVING DAY

The Warriors yesterday were allowed to check out of the "University Hilton" — the athletic complex's dance studios, where they have spent training camp — and move into the dormitories.

"It's good to get some privacy," slotback Jason Ferguson said.

The freshmen and seniors slept on cots in one studio; the sophomores and juniors slept in the other.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.