Pull girl up for being a slow coach (7)
I believe the answer is:
laggard
'a slow coach' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'pull girl up' is the wordplay.
'pull' becomes 'drag' (dragging is a kind of pulling).
'girl' becomes 'gal'.
'up' says the letters should be written in reverse (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'drag'+'gal'='draggal'
'draggal' in reverse letter order is 'LAGGARD'.
'for being' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for laggard that I've seen before include "Lingerer, time-waster" , "Slow mover" , "trailer" , "Person falling behind" , "Moving slowly" .)