In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!