Problems with... Feet?

Yes, the subject seems strange, but allow me to explain.

I have always had a fascination with martial arts: it's the only physical activity that's ever interested me. I have been in taekwondo before, and I plan to begin taekwondo training again soon, and perhaps kenpo. An issue I have though, is my feet.

Obviously, flexibility is important in martial arts in all parts of the body, including feet. My problem is that whenever I try to flex either of my feet in a way that doesn't resemble the position they're in while standing or walking, I am crippled by a startlingly painful cramp in the back of my ankle. I can't point my feet for this reason, which would be a problem while kicking or sitting on my knees. I've tried rotating and stretching my ankle and calf, and I've taken potassium tablets, but the issue remains.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and if they knew of any remedies I could try. If the pain were less I would just deal with it until I built up the flexibility, but I don't think that's the issue nor the solution.

Thanks for your help and may the Force be with you.

As a 10 year practioner, and 3.5 year instructor of TKD, it sounds like you just need to stretch them.....

First, have you talked to your instructor? That is part of our job...

With just words, its tough to really tell what's going on....

So a little more info...

Walking, your legs/feet form kind of an "L"....

From the description it sounds like for a roundhouse(?), where new school teaches "point your toes" and thereby hitting with the top of you foot...

I never have my students "point" their toes while stretching... I tell them to "pull the toes back" when stretching to lengthen the calf muscles....~MTFBWY~

In the back of the ankel?.... Maybe its a ligament issue.....

The ankles are on the side of the foot which allow your foot to move up and down.... There is not a great range of motion for the foot...

To you mean the back of the foot? The internet really sucks for some stuff... lol...

Sounds like you need a good massage therapist as well as to stretch

drink lots of water...sometimes simply not having enough water can cause muscles to cramp when you try to stretch them...this happens to me on occassion when i don't drink enough water...it could also be a combination of things...lack of flexability,lack of hydration,excessive tension...muscles work best when they are properly hydrated and relaxed...

Okay, maybe not an issue to attempt solving on the internet. Maybe it is just a stretching issue. I haven't begun classes yet, so I don't yet have an instructor to talk to, but I will when I do. Thanks for the help, may the Force be with you.