Spotted over across yard giving directions (4)
I believe the answer is:
ways
'directions' is the definition.
(I know this)
'spotted over across yard' is the wordplay.
'spotted' becomes 'saw' (I've seen this before).
'over' is a reversal indicator.
'across' is an insertion indicator.
'yard' becomes 'y' (abbreviation).
'saw' backwards is 'was'.
'was' going around 'y' is 'WAYS'.
'giving' is the link.
(Other definitions for ways that I've seen before include "Roads; styles" , "Methods; routes" , "Acting out a part" , "Customs" , "Characteristic features of behaviour" .)