Brad,
Mankind has been surviving pretty well on water for quite a few years. Unless your practices are unusually long-say 3 or more hours-or on very hot days in the sun, water is all you need.

I agree, water is way better for you, gatorade may be good but its full of sugar and calories. And gatorade makes you more thirsty.

water because gatorade has sugar and will get u tired

Water is better when properly used. Gatorade is good for emergency replenishment when your body has lost too much of what it offers. But if you drink water properly, start drinking before practice, and drink at every opportunity even if you're not thirsty. If you wait until you're thirsty you've gone too long without drinking. This will keep you from losing what Gatorade replenishes and not needing it.

All here are giving good advice. Water is best in most circumstances. Gatorade and replenishing type drinks are for when one is participating in activities that are so strenuous and so long (and sometimes in extreme heat) that the body will need the extras in them. That is for very very few situations and athletes.

water keeps you hydrated when you sweat, and you drink water to prevent cramp in your stomach

i think gaterode because if u run the sugar will give u enrgy

you should drink both becuase they both give you what you need during the game

water.

Water is a lot healthier for you and will last longer in your system that way you won't be wanting water as often and you can keep playing.

You need to stay hydrated for any activity and water is the only thing that counts toward hydration. The rule of thumb which I've found helpful is half your body weight in ounces per day with about 25% of that first thing in the morning. Sports drinks advertise electrolyte replenishment which you do need. What you don't need is the sugar.

If you add a small pinch of Celtic Sea Salt to a liter or so of water, you will get the benefits of the electrolytes without the sugar and calories of a sports drink.

Also, make adjustments if the weather is hotter as you lose more fluids cooling your body.

I think u should have water

Water is great during activities and a sports drink is best after the activity to help replenish.

water

One hour before any game or practice should drink one 16oz of water. This ensures you are properly hydrated and allows your body to handle the stress put on the body with exurtion and lost fluids.

During the event you should continually replenish your body with water (sipping not gulping) frequently. Same after while your cooling down. I know the kids like the specialty drinks, but water is the best.

Finally, in my medical bag I have bandaids, inhailers, purell, and sixteen bottles of water. That way if someone runs out or forgets, it's there for the player.

Safety first! :-)

Yeah I completely agree with (almost) everyone else here in saying water is the best! As Jack said mankind has been doing fine with just water. I think we'll get along fine without Gatorade. As they said Gatorade isn't necessary as long as you KEEP yourself hydrated. Drinking before, during and after the workout/practice/game. Water is awesome! Develop a love for it early on, you are literally drinking to your health every time you have it.

i prefer water it gives u more energy

depends which sports drink. if it's regular gatorade, water but if you have Powerade zero it's better because it has no calories and that is good because it is bad to drink calories. i think a sports drink would be better if you had a powerade zero because it has no calories and gives you energy when water just keeps you hydrated. so i would have a sports drink because gatorade has the most calories in most sports drink and it gives you energy. i know im the only one saying this but i really think a sports drink would be better if you wanted energy. but if you are always full of energy then i would say water. so a quick reap for you: sports drinks are better for you if you want energy and water is better if you just want to be hydrated.

i suggest that you drink water during practice and gatorade after to replenish the body

water is the most refreshing and energizing. Many say that 'water has no taste' but yet is is better for you than other high calorie sports drink such a gatorade. I suggust water if you want great results

Drink about an hour prior to playing or practicing. You can take pickle juice and add it to water. These additives/electrolytes will prevent cramps, which water alone might not address. Drink small amounts during breaks that you will have during the game/practice or activity. Major college football programs add pickle juice to water,and I suspect that Gatorade is based on this chemistry, and explains the naturally green color (of traditional Gatorade).

water is better. it is pure and natural