In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques used. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!