This training camp, the Hawaii football coaches are enjoying positive press coverage.

As part of new defensive coordinator Legi Suiaunoa’s attacking system, the Rainbow Warriors cornerbacks often are asked to play aggressive press coverages against the receivers during scrimmage-like sessions. That translates to cornerbacks slowing or re-routing receivers with jams or bumps near the line of scrimmage. Picture a speed bump placed in front of a race car’s starting line.

“The definition I give the guys is you want to impede the release of the wide receiver,” said Abraham Elimimian, who coaches the UH cornerbacks. “You want to affect his release, which affects the timing from the receiver to the quarterback. If you can do that consistently, it gives you a more favorable matchup.”

Diverting the route will help the pass rush and boost a defense that relinquished 30.1 percent of completions exceeding 15 or more yards last season.

“Coach Abe really works well with us on our press coverage,” said Zach Wilson, a sophomore corner. “He wants us to be aggressive. We want to take the charge to (the receivers). We’re at a disadvantage (moving) backwards from the start. We need to take the fight to them, be the hammer and not the nail. Sometimes if you play too soft on them, then they’re going to quick release and you’re beat. Instead of that, take the fight to them, and we have a better chance.”

The timing is important for a defender, who must stay in front of a receiver and is not permitted to grab at any time or make contact when the pass is in the air.

“You get one shot,” said sophomore Roe Farris. “We have to make the most of it when you shoot your hands and move your feet. You can’t grab. As a DB, you’re at a disadvantage, I feel like, but you have to make the most of the advantages that you have.”

Cornerback Cameron Hayes said: “If you’re pressing, you have to be more patient. You can’t panic at the line. If you panic at the line, that’s where you lose everything. With those jabs, you have to be like Floyd Mayweather with some Mike Tyson power.”

The Warriors have depth but not much experience at the corners. Jalen Rogers and Jamal Mayo graduated in December. Farris started six games as an injury replacement for Mayo. As a starter, 12 of Farris’ 19 tackles were on running plays. He had an interception against San Diego State and successfully defended UMass’ final pass into the end zone in the Warriors’ 46-40 victory.

Wilson, Hayes and Manu Hudson-Rasmussen, who transferred from Riverside City College in January, are the leading contenders to start opposite Farris.

Terrence Sayles, Eugene Ford, Mykal Tolliver, Donavan Dalton and Akil Francisco also have received significant reps this camp.

“They’re all doing fine,” said Elimimian, who was one of the Warriors’ best press defenders in the early 2000s. “We like to compare (press coverage) to a rocket going off.

“The best chance you have taking it out is in the initial stages. (A rocket is) no different from a wide receiver. … There’s a lot of technique involved in terms of press coverage that you look for. For the most part, it’s a very fine art. That’s why it’s a hard position to play — and one of the most rewarding, too.”