In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic techniques employed. You must be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!