In the University of Hawaii football team’s recent scrimmage-like session, defensive end Meffy Koloamatangi grizzly hugged a ball-carrier, lifted him, and then unclenched after a whistle was blown.

“That was a great example of playing the right way,” coach Nick Rolovich said of Koloamatangi’s tag-and-release play. “He stopped the running back, lifted him up and was about to slam him, but he made a winning decision. He knew the play was over. He knew he didn’t have to slam a teammate. That was an encompassing decision. It was a little thing, but when we pointed it out (during a video-review session), everyone was, ‘Oh, that’s right,’ and they trust Meffy a little more.”

Self-discipline is on the Rainbow Warriors’ to-do list for this spring training. Last year, they committed an average of 8.2 penalties per game. Four times, they were assessed at least 10 penalties.

“There’s going to be a holding (penalty), there’s going to be a false start,” said Rolovich, who was hired as head coach in December. “There better not be the personal fouls, the unnecessary roughness, the selfish look-at-me penalties (in which) ‘I’m not thinking about the team, I’m thinking about everyone looking at me making a big hit.’ It may be a big hit, but is it the best play for this football team?”

In 2015, the Warriors were penalized 21 times for personal fouls or unnecessary roughness, and another six for roughing the quarterback.

“That’s why Meffy did something that’s hard to do with the competitive nature of a live football scrimmage,” Rolovich said.

This spring, the Warriors also are focusing on cutting back on the lesser violations. In particular, they have emphasized situational awareness. Last year, the UH defense was penalized 18 times for offsides, including six times by the nose tackle.

“That happens to those guys more than you would believe because of the quarterback’s or center’s cadence,” UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said.

Defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa has implemented drills to teach linemen how to be ready and set and when to go.

“We want to be aggressive, but we want to be aggressive in the right way,” Suiaunoa said.

Defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii led the Warriors with 18.5 backfield stops and eight quarterback hurries last year, but he also was penalized nine times for encroachment violations. He said he is working on his timing while maintaining his tenacity.

Of the offsides penalties, Lempa said: “We talk about it. We drill it. There has to be consequences if you’re going to give up 5 yards. That’s not good for the defense. We can’t afford to give anyone anything. We can’t give away yards. We can’t give away free plays. We have to make the offense work for it.”

Rolovich said: “Offsides are going to happen. But we need situational awareness. If it’s third-and-7, hey, (the quarterback) is going to try to hard-count you. That kind of awareness is important for (the defense).”