In very general terms, there are 3 general techniques used. You want to be able to switch tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger 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 strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!