Toughie

[E3EJH]

Having a nightmare today
1a Plays safe in both senses playing side (6,4,4)
9d kick the ball hack in due direction (7,7)
8d One charged in report about club post season (7,7)
Maybe these will get me going
Thanks

[factor-fiction]

6d- does the clue say hack or back?

[dannyk13]

1a.Hedges ones bets.
9d.Compass bearing
8d.Storage battery

[factor-fiction]

hedges ones bets?

[dannyk13]

For FF -hack

[factor-fiction]

Thanks.
Can you explain all the word play please danny?

[dannyk13]

Pass + bear in comimg

[factor-fiction]

Thanks. I see it's PASS and BEAR in COMING but I don't understand it though.
Where does hack fit in? Maybe I need my morning coffee

[dannyk13]

Hack- to bear or cope with

[sedge47]

1a is an anagram (playing) of BOTH SENSES with EDGE (side) inside it.
9d is PASS (kick the ball) and BEAR (hack, cope) inside DUE (coming).
8d is STORY (report) containing AGE (season) and BATTER (club, thump).

[factor-fiction]

Thanks- and does the COMING come from DUE?

[dannyk13]

Yes FF. I think you really need that coffee.