I was taught to 'set' the gas/petrol at about 1100-1200 rpms before bringing up the clutch as standard behaviour. As much as some vehicles like diesels and modern techy petrol ones can move off with just the clutch, I wouldn't say it's normal driving practice, more a decent teaching example of how the clutch works. (if you tried moving off with just the clutch in my 97 petrol car, it would slam to a halt instantly, it's bite point is miniscule)
The RPM dial will often give you a better stall warning before the chugging and jumping, you'll see it start to drop as soon as the clutch starts to bite and can still fine tune it with the gas pedal. When you start seeing it drop past 900, 8, 7... you know a stall is likely coming without corrective action.