Maybe I can help. I did figures though the third test. Figures are the basis for all freestyle. All figures are based on the figure 8, with each circle, with the exception of loops, being about three times the height of the skater. In practice, on what we called a patch session, each skater was assigned a patch of ice. Most rinks could accommodate 20-22 skaters. We had an instrument called a scribe, which is basically a large compass that we used to mark out a circle for practice. We would skate over that, practice the movements, and then move up about a foot or so and skate the figure without the use of the scribe. In tests and competition, you have to skate the figure on a clean sheet of ice. You are judged for size accuracy, symmetry, and tracing accuracy. Figures are all about body position, posture, and using the shoulders against the hips.
It's really hard to concentrate on doing figures on a public session. No one gives you any respect.
If you're interested, seek out a coach who had done figures. You can only benefit from doing them.