For reference, I fly a Cessna 172.
I've read about a couple of different strategies for the impossible turn (attempting to turn back to the airport after engine failure at low altitude).
The first strategy is the one I've heard most commonly on aviation websites and videos: that is, essentially, maintain a best glide and try to make the turn as quickly as possible without stalling. Unfortunately, a slow turn also means you'll have to turn a little more than 180 degrees to get back to the runway.
The second strategy I've heard is not generally mentioned in the typical safety videos (at least that I've seen). A former flight instructor had mentioned that you could complete the impossible turn by pushing the nose down and using the additional airspeed and downward angle to execute an extremely sharp turn that would keep you closer to the runway; when you come out of the turn, you won't have to worry as much about lining back up with the runway.
Strategy 2 is clearly more risky, at least for someone who has not practiced the maneuver, so that could explain why I don't see it mentioned in most safety videos. I was wondering if anyone here had an opinion on either maneuver (or other options) for executing the impossible turn and, if possible, links to literature explaining it.
Thanks in advance.