In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic plans used. You need to be able to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, because you do not have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!