Pass as clever verse (5)
I believe the answer is:
serve
'pass' is the definition.
(serving is a kind of passing)
'clever verse' is the wordplay.
'clever' is an anagram indicator.
'verse' with letters rearranged gives 'SERVE'.
'as' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for serve that I've seen before include "Put the ball in play in 7 down" , "Put the tennis ball in play" , "golfer to sink fourth from fairway" , "Opening shot at tennis" , "Open play at tennis" .)