When it comes to knowing the answer to blocking kicks, the Hawaii football team can raise its hands.

The Rainbow Warriors lead the nation with five blocks — four on field-goal attempts, one on a point-after kick — in seven games.

All were rejected up the middle.

“I think it’s pretty hard to block it off the edge,” said Mayur Chaudhari, the Warriors’ special teams coordinator. “Even in the NFL, most of the kicks are blocked in the middle. You have to have a major mistake in the protection or the operation time to get one off the edge. That doesn’t mean we don’t try. And we’ve come close a couple of times.”

The Warriors have had prolific blockers in the past. Hawaii blocked eight in 1980, led by Falaniko Noga, whose rejection sealed a 16-13 upset of West Virginia. Matthew Harding used his quickness (10.6 seconds over 100 meters) and courage to block kicks during the ’Bows’ 11-2 season in 1992. John Hardy-Tuliau also had a knack for deflections. Tua Mahaley blocked a potential game-winning kick in a victory over Fresno State in 2008, the Warriors’ only road win over a ranked opponent.

Two of this season’s blockers are unique. Eperone Moananu is a 6-foot-2, 290-pound nose tackle who used his surgically repaired right arm to block a field-goal attempt. Defensive tackle Viane Moala has four blocks in his 21-game UH career. At 6 feet 7, Moala is the tallest interior defender in the program’s history. He has a wing span of more than 7 feet.

“I think it’s height and effort and knowing when to put your hands up,” Chaudhari said of Moala. “There’s a process to it, a formula to it. You can’t over-coach. If you start over-coaching it, saying, ‘Hey, the ball goes a little over the right guard, so now put your hand over there,’ the next thing you know you’re not getting anything done. It’s not that consistent what the kicker does, either. … There are some clues about yard line and depth and all kinds of things.”

Strength/conditioning coordinator Bubba Reynolds said Moala has the flexibility to play low as a defensive tackle and to soar for blocks. Reynolds said Moala has energy — a “motor,” in football parlance — a good aerobic system because of his background in rugby, and elastic ankles.

“If you have limited ankle mobility, it’s going to show up the chain,” Reynolds said. “Bending starts with your ankles and foot stability. He’s got really good mobility in his lower half. He can bend his knees and he’s pretty mobile with his hips.”

Moala, who is of Tongan ancestry, was raised in American Samoa. His parents moved to Hawaii during his freshman year at Fa’asao Marist High. He stayed with relatives in American Samoa because his parents wanted him to earn a diploma from the private school. The family was reunited when Moala accepted a football scholarship from the Warriors.

This season, 27.8 percent of Moala’s tackles have been for losses. He also has forced a fumble.

Defensive coordinator Legi Suiaunoa said Moala is strong and athletic. “Can he play lower?” Suiaunoa said of Moala’s stance. “Yes. That’s the one thing he needs to continually improve in his game. … We want (defensive linemen) that big, but we want him to play like he’s 5-11. Obviously, the length helps in his game, more so the arm length in getting separation and getting off blocks. You have a better chance of covering ground when you’re that long.”

Moala, who can speak three languages, is a quick learner. “I’m trying to get better,” he said.