In astonishingly simple terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You must be able to hop between techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time difficulty since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!