In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 main game plans used. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle 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 challenger on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!