In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental techniques used. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle 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 opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!