Swords are not melee weapons...they are power weapons. All weapons in this game are conduits for our Light. So they don't operate in the same way they would if we were actually using gun or a sword in the real world. In essence, when we go up against minions of the Darkness, we are testing the strength of our magic (Light) against theirs (the Darkness)...and whomever is stronger wins. Sort of like a lightsaber duel between a Jedi and a Sith. That's contest of both their lightsaber skills, but also their strength and skill at using the Force. (Which is why Snoke was able hurl Rey around his throne room like a rag doll without even having to get up out of his chair.)