Room to move in the general direction (6)
I believe the answer is:
leeway
'room' is the definition.
(both can mean freedom or space to move or act)
'general direction' is the wordplay.
'general' becomes 'lee' (Robert E. Lee - US revolutionary commander).
'direction' becomes 'way' (synonyms).
'lee'+'way'='LEEWAY'
'to move in the' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for leeway that I've seen before include "Margin, latitude, room" , "Room to manoeuvre, latitude" , "Freedom to act" , "Flexibility" , "Drift - scope for action" .)