In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 chief plans employed. You want to be able to switch tactics quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious difficulty considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better locations 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 important for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!