In very simple terms, there are three basic techniques used. You need to be able to hop between strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!