In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans employed. You need to be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in the 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 game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious trouble seeing that 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 more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!