Minimal points for a false start (3)
I believe the answer is:
few
'minimal' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'points for a false start' is the wordplay.
'points' becomes 'ew' (**).
'for' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'start' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'false' is 'f'.
'ew' put after 'f' is 'FEW'.
(Other definitions for few that I've seen before include "Only one or two" , "Not many, just a handful" , "Indefinite but small number" , "Hardly anyone" , "Indefinite small amount" .)