Understanding immediately that he's not strong enough to get the blade where he wants it and still avoid the blow from the light saber, Kevin elects to be an incredible dumbass. Having smelled the charred fabric of his coat as it was nicked, it's easy enough to come to the conclusion that whatever wounds he sustains from the saber are going to be immediately cauterized, but any wounds he delivers with his own sword will be much more bloody.

He is definitely, definitely going to get a scolding later.

In this moment, though, he has to make this count, because if he misjudges even a little bit -- even if he doesn't -- he isn't going to get a second chance. He compensates for the Force pull by throwing himself to the side and just a little bit down, tugging his sword back within striking range of Kylo Ren. The light saber is now pointed at the shoulder attached to his sword arm, an injury he would never risk if he saw any other option. If this works, the injury will be a minor one, and his own blade will hit something that isn't some sort of armor. After that, well. That's a decision he's going to have to make when he gets there.