In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 main techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!