I've got a nice 40+ page guide but it's a bit too lengthy to put on here.
Your question is kinda broad & far-reaching so I don't feel like I can make a simplified answer to it.
Generally speaking, you want to stay ahead of the blinds (preferably with a workable stack of 30+bb's,... which again depends upon what type of structure the tourney has that you're referring to..... a 1500chip donkament is another story).
Adjust your play according to your stack size in relation to the blinds, in relation to the stack sizes of the other players on your table & their playing styles.
Stack size adjustments (your own stack that is)... with <12bb's you're basically looking to open-shove (but it'd be best to at least have an idea... or a look at a +EV shoving chart so you know what you can profitably push with from diff positions on table). 14-22bb this is basically a re-steal sized stack, you don't really want to raise/fold pre with a stack of this size (although you'll see it all the time by randoms.... especially don't ever raise fold if you're like <14bb's). With 14-22bb's you're looking to make resteals in good spots (look to see who's actively stealing in LP and then shove your stack in over top of them,...this can actually be done with hands like 98s as you've got foldequity and if you know villain shoves wide but calls tight).
That's 2paragraphs of 40+ pages. In other words there's tons more to it.
For a decent base in which to work from for playing NLHE Tournament play, read Dan Harrington's "Harrington On Holdem - Tournament Play Vol.1, & 'EndGame Vol.2'). If you read these you will not onlyl have a decent foundation for tournament play but will also have a head up on alot of the playing field (although these days in anything over micro buyins a decent percentage of the field will have either read this or be familiar with it's content).
GL on the tables!
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