In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three chief strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious dire straits considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, because you do not have other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!