Why does my cat keep walking directly under my feet when I move around the house?

Whenever I get up and go anywhere my cat lifts his tail straight up and runs directly in front of my feet. He basically positions himself in the exact spot where it would be easiest for me to accidentally kick him. I am extremely careful around him because I am scared of hurting him by mistake but it is getting really frustrating because I can't move anywhere and I don't want to shout at him. He will chase after me and then suddenly cut me off so I cannot move without stepping over him.