In very simple terms, there are three main tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!