Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A first device may receive a channel reservation request from a second device, over a shared or unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, the channel reservation request including a first expected response time duration to receive a channel reservation response in response to the channel reservation request. The first wireless device may transmit a channel reservation response in response, and receive a directional transmission according to the channel reservation request. The second device may transmit a directional channel reservation request on a transmit beam, the directional channel reservation request including a first expected response time duration to receive a channel reservation response the first device in response to the directional channel reservation request. The second device may receive the channel reservation response during the first expected response time duration and transmit a directional transmission according to the directional channel reservation request.