This application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a communication method in a directional communications system, and a receiver. The method of this application includes: receiving a request message; and performing directional channel listening in a direction facing a transmitter, and sending a response message if it is learned through the listening that a channel is available, or skipping sending the response message if otherwise. According to the method of this application, after receiving the request message, the receiver performs directional channel listening in the direction facing the transmitter.