In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 main plans used. You need to be able to hop between strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!