George Best is one of the greatest dribblers soccer has ever seen. The Northern Ireland and Manchester United legend made defenders look like they were playing in slow motion, and his dribbling skills still teach young players lessons today. What’s surprising is how simple his style was: not dozens of tricks, but balance, close control, and a brilliant change of pace.
Here’s what made George Best’s skills so special, and how you can train the same qualities.
Who Was George Best?
George Best joined Manchester United as a teenager and became one of the club’s all-time greats. In 1968 he helped United win the European Cup and was named European Footballer of the Year (the Ballon d’Or). He later played in the United States, including for the San Jose Earthquakes, where he scored one of the most famous solo goals in North American soccer history.
George Best’s Dribbling Skills Explained
1. Balance
Best was famous for staying on his feet. Defenders kicked, pushed and pulled him, and he rode the challenges. His low centre of gravity and strong core let him absorb contact without losing the ball.
2. Close control
The ball rarely left his feet by more than a stride. That meant he could change direction at any moment, and defenders could never commit to a tackle.
3. Change of pace
Best didn’t dribble at full speed all the time. He would dribble slowly, draw the defender in, then explode past them. Slow, then fast. This is the same secret used by Messi and every great dribbler since.
4. Simple cuts and fakes
Rather than step overs and flicks, Best used sharp cuts with the inside and outside of his foot, plus fake shots that froze defenders and gave him the extra half-second to shoot or pass.
5. Two-footedness
He was comfortable with both feet, so defenders couldn’t show him onto his weaker side.
6. Fearlessness
Best wanted the ball, and he wanted to take players on. That attitude is a skill in itself, and it’s one young players should be encouraged to develop.
Lessons Young Players Can Learn From George Best
- Master the basics. You don’t need many tricks if your touch and balance are excellent.
- Use change of pace. Practise dribbling slowly and then accelerating hard after a cut.
- Train both feet. Make your weaker foot a weapon.
- Be brave in 1v1s. Try to beat your defender. Mistakes are part of learning.
A George Best Dribbling Drill
- Cone slalom (5 minutes): Dribble through 8 cones set 2 yards apart using only small inside and outside touches. Keep the ball within a stride.
- Slow-fast gates (5 minutes): Dribble slowly toward a pair of cones, cut sharply, then sprint through a gate 5 yards away.
- Fake shot and cut (5 minutes): Approach a cone “defender”, fake a shot, cut inside or outside, then finish on goal.
- 1v1 to goal (10 minutes): Play attacker vs defender with a small goal. Reward the attacker for a successful change of pace.
Ball Mastery: The Foundation of Great Dribbling
Every great dribbler, from George Best to Lamine Yamal, is built on thousands of touches. At Coerver Coaching we start every player with Ball Mastery because it develops exactly what Best was famous for: touch, balance and confidence on the ball.
Want more legendary dribblers? Read about how to play like Messi and the smoothest soccer players of all time.
George Best’s Legacy for Modern Dribblers
Watch modern dribblers like Lamine Yamal, Savinho or Vinícius Júnior, and you’ll see George Best’s principles everywhere: close control, change of pace, balance under contact and the courage to take defenders on. Equipment, pitches and tactics have changed, but the fundamentals of dribbling haven’t.
Coaching Points: Developing a “George Best” Mentality
- Encourage 1v1s: create small-sided games where taking on a defender is rewarded.
- Allow mistakes: players who are afraid to lose the ball never learn to dribble.
- Train balance: add light contact to dribbling drills so players learn to ride challenges.
- Teach both feet: alternate feet in every ball mastery exercise.
- Play lots of small-sided soccer: 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 give players far more dribbling opportunities than 11v11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was George Best such a good dribbler?
His balance, close control and change of pace let him beat defenders even when they knew what he was trying to do.
Did George Best play in America?
Yes. He played in the North American Soccer League, including for the San Jose Earthquakes.
What did George Best win?
Among his honours: the 1968 European Cup with Manchester United and the 1968 Ballon d’Or.
Every great player starts with ball mastery.
Coerver’s 99 Skills to Ball Mastery program builds the touch, close control and quick feet that every great player relies on. Train anywhere with just a ball and a few square feet.
