Compulsory figures were an essential part of figure skating competitions prior to 1990. Skaters had to precisely trace predetermined patterns on the ice using specific edges, steps, and turns while being judged on accuracy. Figures helped skaters develop skills like edge control, posture, and balance. Skaters would spend hours practicing figures alone or in hour-long sessions to master tracing the patterns cleanly on patches of cleared ice without defects in their tracings. Though no longer part of elite competition today, figures were previously the main component of singles figure skating competitions and helped determine winners.