In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You must be able to switch strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, because you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!