As hands go to strike, sensible to get behind! (9)
I believe the answer is:
clockwise
'as hands go' is the definition.
(as hands go around a clock)
'strike sensible to get behind' is the wordplay.
'strike' becomes 'clock' (clock can informally mean to hit someone).
'sensible' becomes 'wise'.
'to get behind' says to put letters next to each other.
'clock'+'wise'='CLOCKWISE'
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for clockwise that I've seen before include "Direction of movement on dial" , "Cow sickle (anag.)" , "Moving as hands do?" , "In a circular direction" , "movement of hand over face" .)