As Hawaii kicker Alex Trifonovitch approached for a field-goal attempt during Friday’s practice, linebacker Jahlani Tavai sneaked up and blared a horn that had the decibel equivalent of a jet takeoff.

Trifonovitch icily delivered the kick.

“As a kicker, you have to block that out,” said Trifonovitch, who is adjusting to his new place-kicking job.

This preseason, there have been several changes. Eperone Moananu has moved from the offensive line to the defensive line. Several linebackers and safeties have been practicing at the newly created rover position. Kalakaua Timoteo and Davine Tullis have moved from wideout to slotback. And quarterback Karson Greeley has been used as the scout team’s tight end. Head coach Nick Rolovich envisions a future scenario in which twins Karson and Kade Greeley align in double-tight-end formations.

An understated move was Trifonovitch relinquishing punting, a job he was recruited to play at UH, to compete as a place-kicker. Australians Stan Gaudion and Ben Scruton will split the punting duties.

Trifonovitch had experience place-kicking at Punahou School. But on Feb. 4, 2015, Trifonovitch signed with the Warriors with the intent of being the punter. Rigo Sanchez signed a scholarship agreement that summer, and ended up being UH’s punter for the next two seasons.

Trifonovitch has focused solely on place-kicking the past several months. Trifonovitch and Ryan Meskell are locked in a battle for the No. 1 spot.

“It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of days out on the field by yourself,” Trifonovitch said. “You have to be able to put in the work and be a real stickler for details.”

He often consults with Eric Hannum, a former UH punter and kicker. Hannum also tutored Ka‘imi Fairbairn, who played at UCLA and now kicks for the Houston Texans.

Much of Trifonovitch’s preparation is in the dark.

“A lot of film work,” he said. “You can’t understand what you’re doing all the time when you’re going through the motions. There’s a lot of filming it, feeling it out and going back and watching it on your own. And comparing it to NFL guys, comparing it to other kickers, and seeing what you’re doing differently from them, and just working on it through that.”

As for concentration, he usually chooses an appropriate mantra. “I keep it simple in my head,” he said. “I repeat whatever the phrase of the day is, and I keep focused on that versus all the outside noise going on.”

Career changes are not unique in his family. His mother, Kelli Abe-Trifonovitch, was an award-winning television journalist before working as a director at UH-West Oahu and UH-Manoa. She currently is director of communications and outreach for UH’s Hawaii Innovation Initiative.

“I always knew she was on TV,” Trifonovitch said. “I guess it didn’t hit me until recently when people are still asking, ‘Oh, are you still on TV?’ I’m like, ‘You’re a big deal if people are remembering you this far after being on TV.’”