Gotta ask, difference between pushaway and hinge?

[Ball99999]

I know that pushing the ball away straight in front of you at a 90 degree/flat angle isn't good,

what I do is simultaneously push my arm away while flattening my elbow, pointed between 45-65 degrees and then letting it drop.

What is different about a hinge, do you keep your elbow against your chest and then just let it flatten and drop?

[backahead]

I really don't have any right to answer technical questions but I have to wait an hour before going to bed sooo...
"what I do is simultaneously push my arm away" I'm guessing that is the definition of a pushaway.

I had an elbow issue which forced me to lock my elbow even before getting my fingers in the grips. Now that issue has subsided, thanks to this board! But I've pretty much kept the routine. I keep the ball hanging low while I insert my fingers, then fiddle with the thumb entry. If the elbow is the pivot point, I'm probably 170 degrees. Then I lock it to the full 180* and raise the whole arm, with the help of my left hand, to just above my waist. A deep breath, quick knee bounce and I let go as I take the first step. I could easily be 100% wrong but I guess that is pretty close to hinge.

[GeorgiaStroker]

I'm not sure if I understand your question or not, but I don't think pushing the ball straight out or parallel to the floor is bad. Think of your arm and ball like a wooden dowel with a weight on the end. If you hold this level with the floor and let the weight go it will make a smooth swing. If you put a hinge in the middle of the dowel (ie. your elbow) and let the weight go it will be a jerkier, less fluid swing. I use a four step approach and on my first step I push the ball out until my arm is straight and then let the ball drop and let gravity take over. Trying to help or muscle the ball only creates a swing that is harder to repeat. That said, depending on lane condition I will vary the height at which I hold the ball before the push-away. I will hold the ball higher if I need more ball speed and lower if I need to slow it down, so I may be pushing the ball at an angle towards the floor rather than level.

[billf]

Improving your hinge
Now that I have discussed the
value of using a hinge, I want to share
with readers an easy-to-use drill to
greatly improve your utilization of a
hinge.
An effective method to improve
your hinge is to use the 3-step drill.
The 3-step drill promotes a hinge and
improves footwork and timing. Here
is the step-by-step process to establish the distance from the foul line, as
well as how to execute the drill:
1. Go to the foul line, turn with your
back to the pins. Now, take 3-1/2
steps, looking straight back to the
wall. Pivot at this distance. This
will be your starting position for
the 3-step drill. Stand on 22 and
target 15. You can also use this
drill to practice getting in front of
the ball return. This will prepare
you for those moments in which
you have to play that deep, due to
lane transition.
2. To begin, try to just let the ball fall.
You want to keep your elbow close
to your body and let the ball fall.
This is hinging from your elbow.
Do not push the ball away from
your body.
3. As a righthanded bowler, you will
start with your left foot. Think
left-right-left. Conversely, if you’re
a lefthanded bowler, you will start
with your right foot. Think rightleft-right.
4. Once the hand starts to fall, take
the first step. I ask students to
think, “drop-left.” In other words,
let the bottom of the hand drop,
then take the step. Your feet will
want to move quickly. If you feel
your feet are going quicker, then
you are executing properly.
5. Finish and hold the position until
the ball goes to the end of the lane.
This will build a habit of finishing
and posting the shot.
This is a great warm-up drill as
well. I recommend using the 3-step
drill as a normal part of your practice
process. Specifically, spend 15 minutes with the drill each practice session. Or, complete three to five 3-steps
before doing one full approach. This
can be completed for 10 to 20 cycles.

[billf]

That's right from the article by Joe Slowinski
A push away you push the ball away from your upper body. Hinge you don't push away but rather drop your hand straight down. The arm and elbow will make this an arcing motion.

[Tampabaybob]

Here's another article from John Merrill that might help explain the motion you want to achieve.

Free Swing Drill as detailed by Jim Merrell ...Added 6/28/2012
A drill useful for helping a student feel a free arm swing:
1) Have them assume their address position, with the ball positioned close to the body
The drill requires three non-stop repetitions: Do A & B twice
A) Move the arm / ball forward until the ball side elbow is at the front of the body. The arm should not lock in place during ball placement.
B) Then allow the arm to un-hinge and freely swing the ball into the back swing, returning the swing forward to their initial address position supported by both hands.
C) On the third time begin the feet with the movement of the ball forward and make a complete approach and delivery.
The tempo of the swings should be at pace that doesn't cause the upper body to rock back and forth.
It's important that the tempo of the three swings is the same: Swing one, swing two and start the approach with swing three. When the ball returns to the initial staring position each time it is important to immediately start the next swing. Do not allow a pause!
The goal is to keep the swing in constant motion, synchronizing the third start with the movement of the feet. Most people who muscle the start (too much grip pressure) will have difficulty at first.
From a coaches stand point, I often find it necessary to position my hand between the ball and the bowler's body on the return of the second swing. Often the student will pause too long on the return of the second swing, trying to establish the feel of their normal start for the third swing.
Having your hand positioned properly will allow you to initiate the start of the third swing and prevent a pause. If you have to initiate the start of the third swing, make sure the student just keeps the feet moving. Repetitions will ease the dis-comfort.

Hope this helps.

Bob