In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 general techniques used. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, because you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!
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