In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 main tactics used. You need to be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!