The article deals with the phenomenon of mental States and its impact on the performance of athletes. Starting from the thesis of L. M. Abolin about the multidirectional influence of emotions, the content of which is the statement that emotional States can regulate human activity and affect the overall positive, but often disorganize the system and negatively affect the results. In the context of the analysis of this thesis, other research positions are presented and described. As part of the analysis of the category “sports success”, both positive and negative factors affecting success are described. The features of emotional stress and its influence on the result in various sports are considered. The classification and description of methods of regulation of psychoemotional States are given.