The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word BUTT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
B
U
T
T
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "The American behind/strike" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case the american behind/strike = butt.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BUTT mean?
BUTT noun- The larger or thicker end of something; the blunt end, in distinction from the sharp or narrow end
- The waste end of anything
- (generally) An end of something, often distinguished in some way from the other end.
- A limit; a bound; a goal; the extreme bound; the end.
- To join at the butt, end, or outward extremity; to terminate; to be bounded; to abut.
- A push, thrust, or sudden blow, given by the head; a head butt.
- A thrust in fencing.
- To strike bluntly, particularly with the head.
- To strike bluntly with the head.
- (English units) An English measure of capacity for liquids, containing 126 wine gallons which is one-half tun; equivalent to the pipe.
- A wooden cask for storing wine, usually containing 126 gallons.
- Any of various flatfish such as sole, plaice or turbot
- A heavy two-wheeled cart.
- A three-wheeled cart resembling a wheelbarrow.