Help with target shooting

It could be a motivation issue, because shooting at a target where something happens upon impact (like an exploding coke can) is a "reward" when you hit the thing. In contrast, paper targets are, let's face it, are a shade boring :boring:, but will also give you direct feedback of how you're doing after several shots - which is great if you're nailing the bulls eye and are grouping tightly, but which can also be rather discouraging if your shot holes are spaced apart more than you would like to see. This is where perseverance and determination will set you apart from those who give up trying - particularly at tournaments, where you also face the added stress of time limits and seeing other shoot better than yourself.

I experienced a change in my performance during a practice session with a recurve bow many years ago at 30 yards, when I decided to place a small plastic Coke bottle cap (1.5 inch diameter) on the compressed hay backstop, and how this improved my motivation to do well - with more consistent arrow hits of the bottle cap as compared to the regular archery target I had been shooting at before.

Assuming that your shooting technique is basically sound, it will subsequently boil down to how concentrated i.e. focused you are on the center of your paper target: if your mind is wandering, you can be sure that your shots will not be tightly grouped. You need to be fully involved with every shot you take, not be discouraged by a previous lousy shot result, hold your breath shortly before your release the shot, and analyse what mistakes you are making after every shot. If a string of shots is turning out badly, take a short (or a longer) break, and start again with a positive attitude.

In most shooting sports, high concentration levels are essential to achieve success. With practice and over time, your results will improve, but you will nevertheless have days when your shooting performance is abysmal in spite of trying your best: this happens to everyone, don't worry about it.