Award for play (4)
I believe the answer is:
give
This clue is a double definition.
'award' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'play' is the second definition.
(both can mean flexibility)
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for give that I've seen before include "Donate, grant" , "Supply; elasticity" , "Make a present of" , "Yield to pressure" , "concede" .)