In the football fight between Hawaii and Navy this Saturday, there will be limits on hitting below the belt.

Triple-option offenses, such as Navy’s, incorporate low blocks to slow defensive linemen and open the perimeter running attack. But the latest rule revisions limit the area and situations when offensive — and defensive players — may block below the waist. The restrictions include:

> Players on the line and in the box – the imaginary rectangle bracketed by the offensive tackles — may administer low blocks to the side or front of a defensive player as long as the football does not go outside of the box.

> A slotback who is in the box can block toward the ball but only to the front of a defender.

> Once the ball carrier is outside the box, all blocks must be to the front.

> No blocking below the waist once the football goes 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. That applies to defensive players, who might want to cut-block taller offensive linemen to clear a path for a tackle.

“Obviously, we have to be conscious of” the restrictions, said Navy offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper, a former UH quarterback. “We never complain about the rules. It’s funny, people complain about the blocking more than we do. Even though the rule is in their favor, we’re not saying a word about it. … We just adapt. We adjust. Our kids have to be more conscious where we are on the field. We’ll find new ways to block ’em. If we have to stay up, we’ll stay up.”

Corey Batoon, who was hired as UH’s defensive coordinator in December, directed Florida Atlantic’s defense against the Midshipmen in last year’s opener. Batoon said the rule modifications will not be a factor.

“They didn’t work low downfield much in the past,” Batoon said. “I think it’ll be a negligible effect on the game.”

But the Warriors still are wary of Navy’s blocking near the line of scrimmage.

“You need good knee bends and hands,” said Ricky Logo, who coaches the UH defensive linemen. “That’s something we have to work on. Anytime you play an option team, the emphasis is low pad level. They’re going to cut-block you. Our kids have to really work on knee bends and getting low and getting off blocks.”

Defensive end Zeno Choi said: “We’re playing very disciplined teams. It makes us have to be more disciplined than them.”

Batoon cautioned his players about Navy’s “intensity” in executing plays.

“They have really good football players,” Batoon said. “They’re very competitive, and they understand their system. Those kids play fast and they play physical. … The biggest challenge for us is we have to match their intensity. They’re a very physical, very intense football team. If we can match their intensity and be assignment sound, it’ll give us a chance.”

In 2017, the Midshipmen ran 88.9 percent of the time. They averaged 351.4 yards per game and 5.6 yards per rush.

“We know people will have to support the run when they play us,” Jasper said. “People aren’t going to sit back and just let us run our offense. We’re going to have to adjust.”