It highly depend son my mood, but i tend to switch back and forth between verbal and non verbal commands, and if I feel its something a sub should already know, its definitely not a verbal command, but more of a menacing glare and as your husband does, I'll put them as they should be and make sure they remember.
For me, it's the same as Sparrow, it depends on my mood. Unlike Sebastian though, I'll still use certain non-verbal commands even when a sub is blind-folded; physical commands similar to the ones you described actually. In fact, using silent communication is one of my favorite ways to give commands.
I use more nonverbal than I do verbal. My sub's a brat so nonverbal works better. I actually don't glare, instead I give him an evil/pleasant smile, and he'll stop whatever he is doing and be like, "Please don't punish me."
-shrugs- it works for me, but I'm going to work more on the verbal commands too.
My fiance has given me that look before. I have to admit... It's the sexiest thing he'll ever do that gets me THAT excited THAT quickly. He's not one for extreme domination but there are times where words are not involved. And maybe there shouldn't be?
As he likes to say "Shh. No words, just emotion."