In very general terms, there are 3 main techniques used. You want to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces 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 opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!