In very simple terms, there are three main plans employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious trouble since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!