In very general terms, there are 3 general tactics used. You want to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!