In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 basic plans used. You need to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time dire straits since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!