In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 basic techniques used. You want to be able to switch techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, 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 within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious calamity considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!