In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental techniques used. You want to be able to switch techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual 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 required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!