The Five Essentials
Using your weight to keep the boat level or flat, may include sitting out, hiking, trapezing or sitting to leeward.
Moving your weight forwards or backwards to stop the bows or stern digging in too much. Stop the boat from being front or back heavy.
Adjust the sails according to the wind direction and where you want to go. Keep the sails working efficiently, as loose as possible without flapping and boom at a similar angle to the burgee/wind indicator/apparent wind. Use the tell tales. If windward telltale lifts, you are pointing too high.If leeward telltale lifts, you are pointng too low.
Fully down when beating and close or fine reaching to stop leeway(boat skidding sideways), half up for beam and broad reaching, fully up for running. Down a little when running will improve steering a straight line.
Know where you are going and try to sail the shortest and most direct route. Choose tacks according to wind direction and where you want to go. Avoid wind shadows, 'holes' and other boats. Point high, sail right on the edge of the 'no go zone' when beating.