In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 main strategies employed. You need to be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time calamity because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!