A few tips:
-Keep your Guard up (Obviosly)
-When your partner attacks step to the left or right instead of stepping back
-Keep your line or sight at your partner's eye level even when blocking or attacking
-Don't hold back, keep your control but do not be afraid to push forward
-Use multiple strike, do not just use one attack at a time
-Kick off of your front leg for faster (Sometimes less powerful) kicks
-Kocking their guard out of the way with a fake punch before using a kick
Also there is an awareness excersise where you throw a ball up and catch it on the way down while staring at something else and not letting yourself focus on the ball, this means in sparring you will be able to block strikes while looking at their face level more easily.