In exceptionally general terms, there are three main techniques employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 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 opposer is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
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